A CONSERVATION enthusiast has just won a place on a prestigious training scheme.

Clara Turlington, 26, who lives in Pickering, beat off nearly 400 applicants for one of seven places on the new Historic Environment Traineeship scheme.

She will spend the next two years working with English Heritage in York, learning about archaeological sites, managing heritage assets through the planning system, protecting listed buildings and landscapes and exploring solutions for cases where heritage is at risk. Ms Turlington said: “This placement is a great opportunity to broaden my horizons. The range of work is really striking – one minute you can be mulling over a report on a prehistoric site, the next, meeting an architect on a restoration scheme.

“The only way to get a solid grounding is to learn from the experts and put in the hours.”

Clara previously worked in the planning department at the North York Moors National Park and earned a Master’s Degree in town planning from Newcastle University.

She has also spent the past two years renovating and reinstating features at her Grade II listed cottage in Pickering with her partner Simon.

English Heritage’s Maddy Jago said: “It’s equally important that we invest in tomorrow’s conservation managers.

“Trainees will fill key roles in a wide range of organisations, including local authorities. They will have a vital part to play.”