HE looks fresh-faced enough to be bringing in an apple for the teacher!

But Blackpool man Simon Camby has delighted school governors by being confirmed as one of the youngest head teachers in the country at the tender age of 28.

Cambridge graduate Simon was offered the job at Menston Primary School, West Yorkshire, in January after serving three years as deputy head at a school in Cambridgeshire.

The former Collegiate and Blackpool Sixth Form College pupil is now in charge of more than 350 schoolchildren aged from seven to 11 years of age.

And is modest about his extraordinary achievements.

Simon said: "I haven't really looked into it, but it's nice to know that I am one of the youngest head teachers in the country.

"My priority as a head teacher is to lead a school where excellence is the driving force and I believe passionately that children should only be given the best."

But the Professional Association of Teachers (PAT) have confirmed that Simon, who hails from the Stanley Park area of the resort, is the third youngest head teacher in Britain.

And a spokesman added that Simon's fast-track to success is very rare.

A PAT spokesman said: "At his age it is very rare for a teacher to have held a senior teaching post for a number of years at all, let alone going on to become a head teacher by his late twenties."

And governors at Menston school say that, despite his age, they are confident about Simon's future and believe his is a valuable addition to the school.

Chairman of Governors, Councillor Dale Smith said: "The quality of the existing staff at the school is an important factor.

"It is one of the best schools in the country and now it has one of the youngest head teachers I believe it will go to the very top."