A TALENTED east Durham student has won a place at an Army college.

Rebecca Allen, 15, a pupil at Easington Community School, is one of only about 20 girls to win a place at Welbeck College, the Army's sixth form centre, near Nottingham.

She plans to study A-levels in maths, further maths, and possibly economics during a two-year, residential stay there.

From Welbeck, she will go on to be sponsored through university by the Army, and will finish her education at Sandhurst, where she will train as an officer.

Rebecca, of Easington Village, said the selection process was rigorous.

"I had to go to the Royal Commissions Board, in Westbury, this month and stay two nights," she said.

"They took me through a series of physical and mental tests, then I had three sets of interviews.

"I found out last week that I got the place.

"I couldn't believe it - I was over the moon."

Jean Dennison, assistant headteacher at Easington School, said she was not surprised by Rebecca's success.

"She is good at everything, and is predicted to get nine As or A stars at GCSE," she said.

"This is the first time we have had a pupil go to Welbeck, and we are very proud of Rebecca."