ROUND-THE-CLOCK teenage technology whizz Craig Rodway is representing the North-East in a national internet challenge.

The 16-year-old from Coundon has turned his computer hobby into a career, staying on after GCSEs at Bishop Barrington to work as an ICT technician. He won the youth category award in the regional finals of the Broadband Britain Challenge, which is sponsored by BT, and is in the national finals in London next month.

Judges said he had 'exceptional talent,' making innovative use of the new fast internet technology Broadband by hosting his own personal web site and keeping in touch with friends overseas.'

At home he has linked three computers so his family, including mother Carol and four-year-old brother Carl, can all go on line.