A sixth form student is on the road to stardom after being offered places at three of the country's top music colleges.

Bootham School pupil, Johnny Herbert, from Poppleton, York, has received offers from the Royal College of Music, in London, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, in London, and the Birmingham Conservatoire to study music composition.

Paul Feehan, director of music at Bootham School, said: "Johnny is a real star in the making, he has a terrifically open mind, able to compose right across the board from jazz and film scores to more serious classical pieces.

"Johnny is definitely one to watch out for in the future - he really could be the next Benjamin Britten."

Ian Small, Bootham's headmaster, said: "We are delighted to see such a remarkable talent recognised by these prestigious bodies. He certainly proved to be something of a knockout at all three auditions."

Updated: 10:42 Tuesday, January 28, 2003