A CHORLEY student is off to work at Buckingham Palace - by Royal Appointment.

Paul Chadderton, aged 23, clinched the job of footman - to carry out general front-of-house duties in the catering section - following a one-hour interview at the Palace.

Paul, of Astley Park, said: "I've always aimed for the top and a job with the royal household was too good an opportunity to miss.

"I was surprisingly calm and collected at the interview - I was relaxed and even quite enjoyed it!

"I'm absolutely over the moon I got the job. I had to keep reading the acceptance letter over and over to believe it."

The delighted Paul added: "I am due to start my work in a couple of weeks and I am really looking forward to it. It's quite an important job - I'll be on show all the time."

The cooking connoisseur, formerly of St Michael's CE School, Chorley, will soon complete his day release course at Runshaw College in NVQ level three Hotel and Catering Supervisory Management. And the list of culinary exploits goes on.

Paul has been working for Gardiner Merchant catering at British Aerospace in Samlesbury for five and a half years, starting as a food service assistant and successfully progressing to trainee manager.

He has also studied general cooking skills, such as baking and confectionery, at Blackburn College.

Head of school hospitality and catering at Runshaw College Neil Cruickshank said: "Paul is the first Runshaw student to gain such a prestigious position in the royal household. The college is proud of Paul's achievements and wish him luck in his new career."

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