A teenager has reached the final of a driving competition - despite not being old enough to hold a driving licence.

Luke Houghton, who is just 14, has achieved a place in the final of the Young Driver Challenge 2021, having beaten off stiff competition from hundreds of other entries.

The teenager from Blackburn, who goes to Darwen Aldridge Enterprise Studio in Darwen has had lessons at Young Driver’s Ewood Park venue.

Luke was put forward by his instructor, who was impressed by his driving skills at a lesson earlier this year.

Luke said: "I'm so excited to have made the final. I have always had an interest in cars and cannot wait to start driving when I'm 17.

“The lessons are really good because I was able to have a taste of driving a real car and it will help me to pass my test at 17."

The drivers will be put through their paces, safely handling a steering slalom, tackling junctions and roundabouts, confident use of the gears and clutch control and performing manoeuvres.

Twenty finalists in each of two age categories – 10-13 and 14-16 – will attend the final which is being held on October 2 at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

This year marks the seventh time the challenge has taken place. The final will be hosted by motoring expert and former presenter of Top Gear and Fifth Gear Quentin Willson.

The winner of the challenge will receive £200 and Young Driver lessons worth £750, whilst other prizes up for grabs include vouchers and signed copies of Quentin Willson’s book – ‘Learn to Drive Without Tears and Tantrums’.

Young driver lessons take place on private property in dual controlled Vauxhall Corsas with fully qualified instructors, and youngsters learn in a real car as they would on the road at 17.