A BURY schoolboy has qualified for the final of a national driving competition – despite being at least five years away from getting his licence.

Thom Deakin, aged 12, will take part in the Young Driver Challenge 2018 final, on Saturday as one of 40 finalists aged between 10 and 17.

The final will take place on at the Fire Service College at Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, where emergency services’ drivers are taught their skills.

Twenty finalists will compete in each of two categories – 10-13 and 14-16 years.

And Elton High School pupil Thom has won his place in the final after being judged during eight driving lessons in Manchester.

The challenge is run by Young Driver, the country’s largest provider of pre-17 driving tuition. The scheme has delivered more than 550,000 lessons with fully qualified instructors in dual controlled Vauxhall Corsas at 60 venues across the UK.

The emphasis is on encouraging youngsters to be safer drivers, by helping them master the skills off-road and at a younger age.

At the final, Thom will be marked on his driving skills and manoeuvres, including parallel parking, emergency stops, steering, judgement and positioning, as well as having to undertake independent driving.

Judges include ex-police drivers and advanced instructors and first place prizes for each category include £200, 10 one-hour Young Driver lessons and family restaurant vouchers. Prizes will also be given to the runners up.

Thom said: “I love my Young Driver lessons and was so excited to find out I’d made the final – I’m looking forward to showing the judges what I can do.

"I’ve had eight lessons with Young Driver and learnt so much. It was a bit scary at first but the instructors are brilliant and made it so much fun to learn, but always making sure I was safe.

"I can’t wait until I can do it for real when I’m 17 as I can utilise my Young Driver skills and will be confident rather than worrying about what to do with my feet!”

For more information on Young Driver visit www.youngdriver.com or call 0844 371 9010.