A TEENAGE design student is keeping his fingers crossed in the hope of picking up an important title next week.

Matthew Mellalieu, of Robin Hood's Bay, Whitby, is hoping his design for an energy generator will impress judges of the Audi Design Foundation National Young Designer of the Year title.

The 18-year-old, who is in a gap year following his studies at Whitby Community College, entered his creation - Eco-Gen - into a local heat at Lookers Audi, in Thornaby, Teesside.

Now through to the final stages of the competition along with 26 other design and technology students, he will have his project judged by a panel at the Baltic Contemporary Arts Centre, on Tyneside.

Matthew said: "Eco-Gen uses a range of renewable energy sources to provide power for anything up to a lap-top for an indefinite length of time across the globe.

"Easily operated, it aims to provide a better quality of life for those on the move."

If he wins, Matthew will receive financial support through university, paid work experience every summer holiday and a year-long contract with North-East-based product innovation company Virdev UK.

The winner will be announced on Saturday, September 13.