AN online job appeal has had a lasting impact for a man with Down’s syndrome who has since been to Westminster, appeared on television and is now due to start an internship.

Thomas Cullen of Thirsk was so frustrated at the lack of employment opportunities for people with disabilities that he took to the internet last year to appeal for work.

The 16-second video, filmed by his mother Carolyn, was viewed more than 40,000 times and in the year since the clip was posted, Mr Cullen appeared on Good Morning Britain, attended Parliament and has been in employment ever since.

The 21-year old is currently working as a kitchen porter at the Dog and Gun in Carlton Miniott and has now been offered an internship with North Yorkshire County Council.

The 12-month long Connecting Youth Culture post will see Mr Cullen put his passion for drama into action as he travels North Yorkshire to help co-ordinate council arts activities.

The part-time post will enable him to remain in his job at the pub and Mr Cullen said he was looking forward to getting started in September.

He said: “I feel good; I feel proud.”

The internship award caps off a remarkable 12-months for Mr Cullen who become something of a celebrity after his video clip went viral.

Following his appearance on breakfast television, he was invited with Carolyn to attend a round table discussion at Westminster as politicians sought to improve job prospects for disabled people.

Mrs Cullen said: “Part of going to Westminster was about changing people’s attitudes and about getting Thomas the quality of life he deserves.”

Mr Cullen is not paid for the work he does due to the effect it would have on his benefits, but Mrs Cullen said that the hope for the future is that he can support himself financially and live independently.

She said: “His long term goal is to get his own place and it is looking more and more possible.

“He doing things now that I never thought he would be doing and I am just so proud of him.”

Mrs Cullen, a former teacher, is also hopeful that Thomas’ story may inspire more employers to take on people with learning difficulties or disabilities.

She said: “I can 100 per cent understand an employer saying ‘why would I pay someone the same rate as another person who can do the job 100 times faster?’

“Everybody would understand that, but it is about giving people an opportunity, and maybe thinking whether there is a job they could do part time.”