A DOCTOR from North Yorkshire has won a British Academy of Film and Television Arts competition for his comedy script after swapping medicine for writing.

Samuel Jefferson from Harrogate, along with three others from across the UK, will see his script performed live at the New York Television Festival in October and will receive feedback from an industry professional.

Previous chairmen of the event include Greg Daniels, writer and producer of The Office, and Jenni Konner, writer and producers of Girls.

The competition, run by BAFTA and Rocliffe, a scheme that pairs aspiring writers with agents, saw a jury of comedy professionals from the UK and US helped to select the winning entrants, who will also receive mentoring sessions with UK comedy commissioners and meetings with agents.

Krishnendu Majumdar, chairman of BAFTA’s Television Committee, said: “We’re delighted to be able to introduce these exciting British writers to an international audience at the New York Television Festival.

“We hope that the experience of attending the festival, showing their work to potential commissioners, and the ongoing support from BAFTA and Rocliffe, will prove invaluable to our winners as they progress their careers.”

While studying medicine at Newcastle University, Mr Jefferson wrote several award-winning plays including one that received critical praise at the Edinburgh Festival.