A COLLEGE student's ambitions are taking flight after he secured a sponsorship deal worth thousands of pounds.

Lee Clark, who is studying for a Btec national sports diploma at Darlington College of Technology, is proving to be one of the town's best skateboarders.

The 19-year-old, from Eppleby, near Darlington, has managed to win the backing of skateboard-makers Blueprint.

The £6,000 sponsorship deal will help pay for equipment and travel expenses for the next three years.

Lee, who is in his first year of a two-year course, attracted the financial backing after winning a skateboard competition in Ripon, North Yorkshire.

"We had to do three runs and were judged on the best two," said Lee, who hopes to become a professional skateboarder.

"I was absolutely thrilled to win, and the sponsorship will allow me to compete in even more competitions."

His Darlington college tutor, Mo Dixon, said: "It is brilliant news for Lee. Sponsorship is really difficult to come by and we deal with the whole issue on his course."