A student became the first person to present the North-East's newest radio station this week.

Chris Hakin, 17, from Darlington, had expected to work the weekend shift on 107.5 Radio Hartlepool. However, on Monday, he was asked to stand in for the weekday presenter who was away on holiday for the first two days of programming.

"All the bosses were here for the opening and I had to warm up for veteran broadcaster Alan Wright, which was nerve-wracking," said Chris, who is studying for a National Diploma in media and moving images at Darlington College.

"I love music and I could talk for England, which isn't a bad mixture really. I just hope I sounded interesting at six in the morning," he said.

His tutor, John Gibb, said: "Chris is young, professional and very keen.

"He is typical of the people on the course this year. They can all visualise being involved in TV and radio in five years' time. They have terrific attitudes."

The course is designed to give students practical skills to flourish in the real world of broadcasting, and in the second year, they will be involved in making a documentary, a TV advertisement, a drama and a corporate video.

"That's what I love about the course, it's practical rather than just theory," said Chris.