A PAPERBOY is hoping to be on his way to becoming the next Jamie Oliver.

Martyn Rigby, aged 17, has been delivering papers for five years with The Bolton News direct delivery team but he has always wanted to be a top chef.

And his dream is turning into reality now he has started a two-year apprenticeship at the five-star Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington High Street, London.

The former Sharples School pupil will spend four days a week in the kitchen at the hotel, and one day at Westminster College where his idol, Jamie, studied.

Martyn, of Sweetlove's Lane, Sharples, said: "It's been fantastic. I took part in a Ready, Steady, Cook competition at Bolton College and our team won and then this once in a lifetime opportunity came along just days later.

"I'm so excited, everything has happened so fast. But of course I will miss everyone back home."

Martyn studied food technology at school and, when he left, he enrolled at Bolton College's Manchester Road campus to take level one NVQ in catering and hospitality.

Anita Earl, his food technology teacher at Sharples School, told him to contact the Springboard Charitable Trust, which specialises in finding jobs and apprenticeships in the hotel industry.

But Martyn had no idea that he would get a call asking if he would be interested in working at a top London hotel.

He went for an interview and was offered a place on the spot.

Now he is preparing gourmet food alongside executive chef Steve Munkley.

A typical Royal Garden Hotel appetiser costs up to £13.50 and a main course on the a-la-carte menu costs up to £36.00.

Hotel spokesman Zoe Hiscoke said: "Martyn applied via Springboard and his enthusiasm and eagerness earned him a place in September, amongst a kitchen brigade of 35.

"He was highly recommended by Springboard and we liked what we saw so offered him a place."

Martyn's parents, Carol and Peter Rigby, are pleased with their son's achievement.

Mrs Rigby said: "We are absolutely delighted and are so proud of our super chef son and wish him well."