A MIDDLEWICH teenager has been sharpening up his learning skills after swapping his school books for an office desk.

James Fowles, of Benbridge Drive, has been working with the Learning and Skills Council Cheshire and Warrington as part of a two-week work experience programme.

The 14-year-old, who is a pupil at Middlewich High School, tried his hand at a range of different roles, from working on a computer database and producing maps on postcode mapping software, to using e-mail and improving his telephone skills.

And James has thoroughly enjoyed the experience, saying: "It's given me more confidence in speaking to people and I've used e-mail for the first time. I even ended up joining in talking about the office fantasy football league."

But although he enjoyed his time at the office he still intends to take up plumbing when he finishes his studies.