A 16-year-old from Bromyard has won a chance to study for two years with the United World College in India.

Instead of going on to do A'Levels at Hereford Sixth Form College like twin sister Claire, Joseph Howlett leaves today for the college in Puna, near Bombay.

He will study six subjects, including Hindi, and work with needy children for an International Baccalaureate.

The college is one of nine throughout the world established by a British General interested in promoting international relations and world peace. The first was established in Wales in 1962 and others have since sprung up in places like Singapore, Venezuala and Norway.

The colleges accept two students a year from each of the 90 countries who participate, alongside about 20 locals.

Joseph has 13 GCSEs, four of which are A stars, eight are As and one is a C for advanced maths.

He is also fluent in French, has directed a play at the Conquest Theatre and been a playleader there for children's theatre workshops. He has a keen interest in his family's organic farm and boasts awards won for debating and public speaking.

Joseph said: "It will be a different culture, different people, different language.

"My dad is very pleased but my mum is nervous and apprehensive. I've only been as far as France before and have only flown once - and when I did they lost my bag for two weeks!"