TWO North Yorkshire students are celebrating after receiving scholarships to help them further their agricultural careers through Harper Adams University.

Having been selected as a Claas scholar in his second year, Miles Metcalfe, 23, a fifth year MEng Agricultural Engineering student at the Shropshire university received an additional year of sponsorship from the company after making a great impression during his time as a placement student and throughout his dissertation research project.

The former pupil of Yarm School, who is from Northallerton, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Claas and in particular Jane Broomhall from Claas UK for their on-going support both financially and with my dissertation. I feel very privileged to be receiving this scholarship and look forward to the possibility of working for Claas in the future.

“As part of the Claas Scholarship, I was offered the opportunity to work my placement year in Germany for the Claas Advanced Engineering Department. To gain a better understanding of the Claas range of products, I also worked for Claas UK during the summer of 2011.

“In the future, post-graduation, I hope to work for Claas as a Product Specialist. I think it will be an advantage, having an in-depth applied engineering knowledge, particularly of the Claas products,” added Miles, who collects and restores vintage cars and tractors.

Oliver Taylor, 20, from Thirsk, received the Mercer Scholarship, sponsored by farmer and Harper Adams University chairman of governors Roger Mercer.

The former Thirsk School and Sixth Form College pupils, who is working towards an agriculture degree, said: “I feel very honoured to receive the Mercer scholarship and is one I am very grateful to receive. It is helping me to achieve new skills, such as trailer training, and to set up my own Texel sheep flock. “My ambition is to continue to gain new skills which will help with my career and to continue developing my flock to increase its popularity and the ability to produce top-quality breeding stock,” added Oliver, who recently received the gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.