A Bicton College student has been awarded a Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Further Education Bursary.

Oscar Wallace-Cook was awarded £500 which will go towards costs associated with his Level 3 course in General Agriculture.

He dazzled the judges with his ambition to operate his own dairy enterprise, which he plans to use his bursary to pursue further.

On receiving his bursary, he explained his plans for the future.

Oscar Wallace-Cook said: "I plan to use what I have learnt at Bicton to help me in my work experience placement and in my later life where I plan to run or own my own farming business.

"I’m keen to become a dairy farmer supplying direct to the customer.

"I believe it could be achievable as customers like to know where their products are coming from."

Exmouth Journal: Oscar Wallace-Cook was awarded £500 which will go towards costs associated with his Level 3 course

This year, Cornish Mutual granted four Young Farmer Further Education Bursaries to agricultural students across the South West.

These bursaries are designed to support the next generation of farmers, with this year's scheme broadened to include Level 5 or 6 students.

One winner will also earn the title of Cornish Mutual South West Agricultural Student of the Year.

Students applying for bursaries were invited to illustrate 'Why I am studying agriculture' for judgement by a seasoned panel that included Cornish Mutual managing director, Peter Beaumont.

Peter Beaumont shared his thoughts on the applications received.

He said: "We were once again delighted to receive a number of high-quality applications for our bursaries.

"Oscar displayed ambitious plans to start his own dairy business, despite coming from a non-farming background."

The Cornish Mutual Young Farmer Bursaries partner with the Future Farming Programme, an initiative launched to nurture the agriculture of the South West.

For further details on the Young Farmer Bursaries, visit: https://www.cornishmutual.co.uk/cmfuturefarming/young-farmer-bursaries/.