A STUDENT will take advantage of the ‘chance of a lifetime’ when he jets off to the United States to watch the inauguration of new president Barrack Obama.

Seventeen-year-old Edward Bell, of Balderstone, Ribble Valley, will leave for Washington on January 14 to see the official ceremony to mark the start of Obama’s four-year term, which takes place on January 20.

Edward, who is a sixth-former at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, has a strong interest in politics and is a fan of the US president-elect.

He and 17-year-old Matt Thorpe were invited to attend the event after attending the Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington in July.

Edward said: “I am reading both Obama’s books at the moment, his story is fascinating. He is an intelligent man and is definitely a good change for America.

“I really like his individualism, like when he said he didn’t like people wearing low-slung trousers with their underwear showing, not something politicians usually say, it was charming.”

The pair are having to fund the visit themselves, at a cost of £2,000, and have been fund-raising and seeking sponsorship.

“I did a 53-mile sponsored walk over two days in the Ribble Valley and I have also contacted local businesses asking for support. I have raised about half the cost but will probably have to pay the other half myself,” he said.

“But this is the chance of a lifetime and is something I just couldn’t miss out on, I am a huge fan of politics so I just had to go.”

Edward is starting at Oxford University in October and will be studying French and Classics, but has an interest in following a political career once he finishes.

He said: “I’m really keen on going into a diplomatic role once I finish at Oxford, it is something I am really interested in.

“But I also fancy being an MP at some point in the future. They provide a great service and I would love to represent local people.”