MOST teenagers are preparing for holidays in the sun with their friends — but one 17-year-old has decided to forgo the sunshine in a bid to take the first step on the way to a successful future.

Manisha Sitpura, from Blackrod, has landed places with no less than three prestigious summer schools, which she hopes will be able to equip her with the tools to succeed.

Firstly Manisha will take part in Newcastle University's Bitesize Uni programme, with the four-day placement allowing her to meet current students, attend events and explore the university.

Then she will travel to the University of Manchester to attend the Manchester Access Programme.

The residential event will teach participants how to produce an effective university application, as well as talks giving advice on topics including referencing, revision and completing an academic assignment.

Finally Manisha will take part in the Whitehall Internship Programme in London, which allows participants to gain vital gain work experience in Whitehall, the home of government.

She will gain rare access to governmental departments and come into contact with some of the country's leading political professionals.

The programme is run by the Social Mobility Foundation, and is intended to support "hard working" students.

Successful applicants are placed in government departments such as the Treasury, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Defence.

Manisha, an A-level pupil at Winstanley College in Wigan, hopes to study politics at university, and said she applied to take part in the placements to gain as much knowledge and experience in the topic as she could.

She said: "I am really excited to have been given such tremendous opportunities.

"I am determined to show my potential and the guidance I receive from the programmes will help me to achieve that.

"The experience I gain will be very beneficial and the perfect start to the career I would like to pursue."