A 16-year-old Darwen Aldridge Community Academy pupil is celebrating winning a national award for his “academic brilliance”.

Sam Exton, a year 11 student, scooped the technology prize in the inaugural Academy Excellence Awards for his essay themed around sustainability, which was set by experts at the University of Nottingham.

His prize of £1,500 and work experience with British Sugar plc, was awarded by television presenter and newscaster Kate Silverton at a ceremony at the University of Nottingham.

Sam said: “I am extremely pleased to have won this award, and ultimately to have been given this great opportunity on the first national Academy Excellence Awards. "I am proud to have beaten people two years older than me and see it as a great achievement.”

Kate Bellingham, who judged the technology essay said: “Sam’s essay stood out as the clear winner.

"It was very well communicated and was action-focused. He did his own survey and built on that.

"It was passionate, communicated with a real sense of purpose and quite humorous in the process.”

Brendan Loughran, principal of DACA, said: “He thoroughly deserves the award and what makes it more special is that at 16 he was the youngest person to enter, competing against 17 and 18 year olds.”