A LUCKY pupil from a Llangollen school has won a shiny new Laser 4.7 sailing dinghy.

Ellis Richards, a year 9 pupil at Ysgol Dinas Bran has worked hard over the past three years in dinghy sailing and now has a feel for competing within the sport.

Ellis recently applied to the John Merrick’s Sailing Trust, set up in honour of the top international sailor who died in a motor vehicle accident in Italy 20 years ago, asking them to support him in his desire to race.

He then received an email of congratulations saying he had won a top prize.

Ellis said: "This fantastic opportunity has become surreal, being a winner of has left me overwhelmed.

"I am so lucky, excited and intrigued to see what the future will hold for me in the big world of sailing. This is going to be life changing for me and I am truly grateful, I would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved."