AN A-LEVEL business student has fought off competition from 1,900 other applicants to win a management apprenticeship with Marks & Spencer.

Evie Ball, a pupil at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington, applied late last year and underwent an interview day at the company's MetroCentre branch along with 11 other candidates.

There she had to take part in a group discussion, data analysis presentation and a role-play exercise which explored the day to day scenarios that retail managers have to deal with.

After a one-to-one interview she discovered she had been successful and will begin her career at the chain's Leeds store this September, managing her own area of the city centre store.

After the 18-month long apprenticeship she will be guaranteed a position within the company. She said: "I had always assumed that I would go to university after my A Levels.

"However when I found this apprenticeship, I knew that I would regret not completing an application.

"I fully intend on using my apprenticeship to help me ascend the career ladder."

For more information on QESFC contact Laurence Job, Vice Principal.