A BISHOP Auckland youngster will carry the spirit of Churchill with him to Indonesia after securing a fellowship.

Joseph Robson, 18, from Woodhouse Lane, will visit the Asian country for two months in October after receiving a Churchill Fellowship to study community music making.

The trainee youth arts worker is one of 100 people to be selected from 755 applicants with the aim of representing the memory of Sir Winston and gaining invaluable knowledge and experience.

Mr Robson is a member of youth theatre group Jack Drum Arts and was told about the fellowship by leader Julie Ward, who embarked on a similar journey 15 years ago.

The group recently came across some Indonesian instruments, which Mr Robson plans to learn more about during his stay, while he will also discover the country's musical traditions.

"I'm a very musical person," he said. "I'm delighted to have got the fellowship. I am really looking forward to it and everybody's been really supportive."