An aspiring film-maker is one step closer to stardom after winning a place at a national film academy to pursue his dream job.

Tariq Daley, a 16-year-old Harris Academy Merton pupil, will be spending two weeks this summer at the National Youth Film Academy, to write and produce a short film to be screened at an independent cinema in London.

Following in the footsteps of his idol, producer and 2 Fast 2 Furious director John Singleton, Tariq, of Tamworth Lane, Mitcham, is one of 66 lucky students to have been selected out of more than 1,000 applicants.

Tariq, who is studying for his GCSEs, said: "John Singleton is who I look up to, the way he tells his stories really inspires me and his screenplay is constructed beautifully on screen.

"I am honoured and grateful for my place at the National Youth Film Academy.

"To be chosen as one of 66 aspiring film-makers in the whole of the UK out of the 1,000 who applied is special."

The teenager had to audition for his place at the academy and will need to raise £570 to help cover the cost of the course.

He is appealing for donations and is willing to carry out odd jobs for people to help raise the funds.

He added: "I am looking forward to working with like-minded film-makers and industry professionals to further my film-making skills."

The two week long summer course is run by a non-profit organisation created to locate, educate, develop and showcase the talents of exceptionally gifted young actors and film-makers aged 16 to 25 from around the UK.

To contribute to Tariq's fundraising, email his mother Laverne Daley by email.

For more information about the National Youth Film Academy visit the website.