A student with dreams of a career in Formula 1 has been awarded a prestigious scholarship.

Alex Maine, who studies at the Hellesdon and Taverham Sixth Form Centre, has been awarded an Arkwright Scholarship.

This is awarded to talented students who have an interest in studying engineering at university or who are pursuing a career in design and technology.

The scholarship was awarded to the 16-year-old, from Taverham, to support him through years 12 and 13.

He is studying resistant materials, physics, maths and chemistry, a combination of which helped in the application for the scholarship.

Alex said: 'The Scholarship is very important to me as it will help pay for my project in Year 13. It will also help me get to university and then into a dream career in Formula 1.'

Alex was introduced to the Arkwright Scholarship by the director of technology at Hellesdon High School, Paul Duncan.

After completing the application form, Alex was given an aptitude paper to complete. He managed to complete seven pages of design ideas and development to the tasks set, which had to be completed in a certain amount of time.

Alex passed this and was sent to one of seven engineering based universities, choosing Loughborough University. After his interview he was taken on a tour and then competed in group tasks to complete engineering and design challenges, with 600 students attending at this stage.

In August, Alex then received a letter informing him that he had been successful in acquiring the scholarship, which earned him �1,000 of funding along with a diverse support network and links with business and universities to support him with his A-Levels and future plans.

Alex added: 'The process of being selected was an enjoyable challenge. I would like to thank Mr Duncan of Hellesdon High School for suggesting me for the scholarship and Mr Eastick of Taverham High School for teaching me in year 10 and 11.'

Alex attended an awards ceremony to receive his certificate and first year's payment, hosted by the Institution of Engineering and Technology at Savoy Place in London.

There Alex met Dr Wai Yi Feng, of the Ogden Trust, and other scholars from schools across the UK. He has already been offered a free university head-start course worth more than �250 and has been invited to visit CERN (the European Organisation for Nuclear Research) next summer.

Have you got a story for Local Life? Call reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or email david.freezer@archant.co.uk