A SIXTH form student is bidding for a place in an international tournament after coming in the top ten chemists in the country.

Jagjeet Singh Hans has won through to the second round of the Chemistry Olympiad where he has a chance to earn a place in the UK team.

Jagjeet, an A-level chemistry student, is the first pupil from Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, to come in the top ten of the Olympiad, which is run by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Jagjeet will compete against the other nine leading chemists for a place in the final team of four to compete in the International Chemistry Olympiad final in Hungary. They will sit a final exam at Cambridge University.

Jagjeet, 17, said: "I'm really excited about getting through to round two and will work hard to be well prepared for it. I'm determined to do my best for the college, myself and my family."

He also studies biology and maths and hopes to read medicine at university.

Alan Scapelthorn, head of chemistry at Queen Elizabeth College, said: "This is an outstanding achievement by Jagjeet. The chance to participate in the next round at Cambridge University is a massive opportunity for him.

"In 10 years of participating in the Chemistry Olympiad this is the first time one of our students has gone this far."