Five teenagers from Cumbria and the North West have joined an 'earn-as-you-learn' training programme to become chefs.

The five students have signed up to the English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues Culinary Academy, which offers an apprenticeship to achieve Level 2 Commis Chef and Level 3 Chef de Partie qualifications.

The programme also provides practical experience in a busy hotel kitchen.

The latest group of trainees includes 16-year-old school leavers George and Chloe, both from near Ulverston, Brodie, 18, from Carlisle, Rubi from Preston, and Sam from Macclesfield.

Brodie and Chloe will be learning their trade while working at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, while Sam and George will be based with the culinary team at the Wild Boar near Windermere.

Rubi will begin her hospitality career at Lancaster House Hotel.

Rubi said: "I saw the opportunity to apply for this role via the government apprenticeship website where English Lakes Hotels had advertised culinary academy positions.

"I was so keen to get the job that I ended up applying twice, because I also filled in the application on the hotel group’s website too to try and get myself recognised."

The English Lakes Hotels Culinary Academy, established in 2017, is delivered in partnership with Kendal College.

Its fully accredited courses allow the students to hone their chef skills while earning a wage with the hotel group across its venues in the Lake District and North Lancashire.

Daniel Winstanley from English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues said: "Under the guidance of our fantastic culinary teams and experienced head chefs, the new apprentices will learn the fundamentals of kitchen skills, behaviours and knowledge, setting them up for a lifelong career in hospitality.

"The Culinary Academy offer has developed over the last few years to provide these comprehensive apprenticeships in partnership with Kendal College.

"It continues to support young people who want to experience the vibrant hospitality industry and build a career.

"It is testimony to the hotel group which continues to invest in the future stars of our industry.

"An added extra this year is the opportunity for the students to experience a couple of work placements in one of our sister hotels so they can see how different venues approach the working week."

The hotel group is currently recruiting for staff across a range of hospitality industry disciplines.

To find out more about available jobs and to apply, visit englishlakes.co.uk/jobs.