NOT many people get the opportunity to speak in the House of Commons - but 23-year-old charity shop manager Becky Wallis has done just that.

She was one of only five apprentices from across the UK chosen to speak at an event organised by the Chartered Management Institute.

The CMI have just launched a new apprenticeship scheme and asked other learning providers to put forward people who could speak positively about the benefits of National Vocational Qualifications.

And Becky, who is currently doing an NVQ diploma in management whilst working as manager of Herriot Hospice Homecare’s charity shop in Northallerton, was recommended by her tutor and invited to speak in London about her experience.

A single parent living in Thirsk, Becky spoke in front of an audience twice, once at a conference at the CMI offices in London and again later the same day in the Members’ Dining Room at the Commons.

“It’s hard to find the words to describe speaking in the House of Commons, apart from it was amazing, absolutely amazing,” she said.

“I have never been so nervous, yet so excited, before. I kept going from extremely nervous to exploding with excitement.”

She added: “It was amazing to be the person to be able to talk about Herriot Hospice Homecare in such an historic setting.”