LOCAL lad, Wes Butters, has landed one of the top slots on national radio - presenting BBC Radio 1's new and re-vamped top 40 countdown.

Radio 1 launched an extensive search to find the perfect candidate to host their flagship show. And the 23-year-old, whose father lives in Hartford, fitted the bill perfectly.

Wes will be taking control from February 9, when his first show will be aired to the nation.

Andy Parfitt, controller of Radio 1 said: "Wes is a great young radio star with bags of enthusiasm - it's brilliant to have a presenter who is really connected to the audience that is buying the records."

Wes attended a media course in University College Salford, and was an active member of the Cheshire Video club, before becoming a radio presenter in 1998.

He has since hosted slots on various regional stations including Galaxy 105-106 and Century 102, but admits that this is going to be his biggest challenge.

Wes said: "Coming to work at Radio 1 is the big gig and I can't wait to get started.

"The Top 40 show is a huge deal and it's going to be amazing being the person counting down the chart and revealing to the nation what the official UK number one is each week."

scorrigan@guardiangrp.co.uk