A FILM and TV production student is one of just 20 across the country to be awarded a prestigious national bursary.

Natasha Graham, 19, from Saltburn, has received a Royal Television Society (RTS) undergraduate bursary award this year.

The first year student Natasha will receive £1,000 for each year of the degree to help with her studies at Teesside University.

The aim of the RTS bursary scheme is to widen participation in media and related industries and help talented people who would benefit from financial support.

Ms Graham said: “The bursary will make a huge difference as my mum is a single parent. It will be a massive help financially, while the masterclasses and other training placements available through the RTS will also be brilliant.”

Talented musician Natasha, who plays the piano, violin and guitar, already had some experience of the degree course before starting her studies at Teesside, having written the music for a third year student’s film.

She said: “I’m a musician and spent a year with a theatre company before starting the degree, which helped me to make lots of contacts which will be useful when I’m working on projects and films."

During their studies, each bursary recipient will receive £1,000 each year of their studies to help with expenses and living costs. They will also receive membership of the RTS and mentoring opportunities with industry members.

Recipients were selected by a panel of industry professionals following an open call to UK students applying for courses at accredited universities.