A scholarship is beckoning for a successful Stourbridge student who hopes it will help his career take off.

Matthew Coles from Old Swinford Hospital School has been awarded an Arkwright Scholarship in engineering. Matthew, aged 17, from Ludlow, landed the academic prize after passing the Arkwright Aptitude Paper.

He got through the gruelling interview panel by solving engineering design problems and presenting his GCSE work.

Matthew was then put through his paces with an interview and team exercise at Bath University before being formally presented with his scholarship at the Institution of Engineering and Technology in London.

The top flight student had the chance to meet Flight Lieutenant Mark Lynch from the Royal Air Force’s engineering liaison team from his sponsor, the RAF.

Matthew will also be recognised as an Arkwright Scholar when he moves to university.

Old Swinford Hospital School’s design and technology department also receives £225 per year for the next two years. Out of 733 applicants for the grant 376 candidates were interviewed, with the number of scholarships awarded whittled down to 220.

Arkwright scholarships are supported by individuals, companies, institutions and the services. The Arkwright Trust was founded in 1990 and supports young people through their A level studies by awarding £250 a year to assist with buying materials and books.