TWO Darlington chefs have won places on a national training scheme.

Morn Jansen and Malcolm Wilson have been chosen from 5,000 candidates across the UK to become apprentices on Corus hotels' Chef School training programme.

Morn, 19, from South Africa, lives at Hall Garth Hotel, Coatham Mundeville, and will complete his apprenticeship there.

Malcolm, 17, from Witton Crescent, Darlington, will do his apprenticeship at Blackwell Grange Hotel, where he works.

The Chef School scheme was launched in 2003 in response to an acute chef shortage in the UK.

It enables students to study for NVQ catering qualifications as part of a modern apprenticeship while gaining experience.

Anne White, the human resources manager for both hotels, said: "Morn and Malcolm have shown the ability, commitment and enthusiasm required to succeed as a professional chef and we are thrilled to welcome them to our hotels.