An Irvine student has been awarded a bursary boost aimed at helping to widen participation in the media industry.

Student journalist Eleanor Duffy has been awarded £1,000 per year towards her studies by the Royal Television Society.

This is part of a scheme which aims to help widen participation in the media industry and support talented students from lower income backgrounds seeking to pursue a career in television.

Eleanor, who previously launched Student Voice magazine at St Matthew’s Academy before working with STV, has been awarded the bursary to study Multimedia Journalism course at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Eleanor told the Times she was delighted to receive the award.

“They were impressed with the practical experience I have already gained and that I had been accepted onto the course at Glasgow Caledonian University, which they held in high regard.

“Not only will it be a great asset to my studies, it will also provide a networking and mentoring opportunity throughout my journalism degree as I make my way in a competitive industry.

“I have a real ambition in establishing a career in radio and broadcast journalism and the support of the Royal Television Society will further that.”

“I’ve been working with STV in the last year in the lead up to university - I took a year out after school to undergo a 12-month apprenticeship, which then led to becoming the production journalist for the Ayr office on STV2.

“I’m also looking to join the student radio station here at the university, and search for some freelance shifts in the coming year hopefully!”

Recipients were selected by a panel of industry professionals following an open call to UK students to apply.

The 2017 bursary scheme offers 22 bursaries for Television Production and Broadcast Journalism students and seven bursaries for Computing and Engineering undergraduates.