A STUDENT from Ealing has won the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America after getting four As in his A-levels.

Mark Laichena, 18, has won the Morehead-Cain Scholarship and will attend the University of North Carolina, in the USA, where he will major in political science.

Mark, a former North Ealing Primary School pupil, said: "I was so excited when I heard I had been awarded the scholarship. It's a really unique opportunity.

"I was lucky enough to go on an exchange trip to North Carolina at school and knew I wanted to go back there to study so I looked around and did the interviews for this programme.

"A lot of people think they would like to study abroad but never get round to it, but I would recommend it to anyone."

Mark, who studied at Christ Hospital School in Sussex, has two younger brothers who live on Hanger Hill.

He will be studying in America for four years, and has already been there for a month, participating part in activities, and even taking up rugby.

He said: "There is such a sense of spirit on campus and everyone supports the college teams, and everyone wants to do their best.

"England are playing the USA in the Rugby World Cup, so I will be there cheering the boys on.

"I have no intention of supporting the US."