A TEENAGER is celebrating after winning a place at Cambridge University to study veterinary medicine.

Stephen Gosling, 18, a student at Stockton Sixth Form College, came through the one-day interview with flying colours.

Howard Clarke, principal at the college, said: "This is an outstanding achievement. In fact, over many years of teaching, I have only known of two or three students ever getting to Cambridge to study veterinary medicine.

"We are immensely proud of Stephen. It is extremely hard to get into any university to study veterinary medicine because the competition is so intensive, and at Cambridge even more so."

Stephen who will need three As at A-level in biology, chemistry and physics has been taking part in work experience at a vet's practice in a Durham village for the past three years.

Passionately fond of animals, he has two dogs, two snakes and a chipmunk.

He was selected to go to South Africa on a safari four years ago for a series of documentaries filmed for ITV on animals in the bush.

Stephen said: "The experience I gained in South Africa has given me a taste for doing something interesting and out of the ordinary, and once I am qualified I will be on the look out for adventure."

The offer, which is provisional, depends on Stephen getting all the required grades. He will be studying at Gonville and Caius College.