SUNDERLAND teenager Gareth Pugh's dream of studying fashion at a top London college has come true.

Gareth, 18, of Grangetown, is looking forward to fulfilling his ambition after three years' hard work studying on the pre-degree art foundation course at Sunderland College.

From the start, Gareth was determined to get into St Martin's School of Art and applied to no other college.

Gareth said: "St Martin's was the only place I wanted to go. Nowhere else would do and, if I didn't get in, I'd just have to try again and again until I did.

"If you want to be the best you have to go to the best places and St Martin's has an excellent reputation, so it will make it much easier to get a job when I finish.

"I couldn't believe it when they called me and told me I had a place. I don't think I'll believe it's for real until I get there.

All of Gareth's fellow students have won places at leading universities.

One, Judy Hollis, 19, from Houghton-le-Spring, is to study textiles at Goldsmiths College, London University.

The college head of visual and performing arts, Mike Ryans, said: " This year the students have done particularly well. The work they have produced is fantastic and they thoroughly deserve their university places."