A SCHOOL pupil on work experience has been rewarded with a prize and a job from a local manufacturing company.

Oliver Cushion, from Tockwith, won Work Experience Student Of The Year, from Castles UK Ltd which is also based in Tockwith.

The Tadcaster Grammar School pupil won a silver cup engraved with his name, which will be passed on to future winners, £100, and a plaque to keep, as well as a full-time job when he finishes school in May.

The award is a new initiative the company has created to encourage more work experience students, especially more girls, and to attract temporary workers during the school holidays when it is at its busiest, making furniture for private schools.

Ian Robertson, general manager, said Oliver’s approach to work set him apart from the competition.

Mr Robertson said: “He arrives early, he looks for work if there’s nothing to do and does it to the best of his ability.

“He has a great future ahead of him,” he said.