A DARLINGTON student has been awarded a £1,000 scholarship from Moet & Chandon, one of the largest producers of champagne in the world.

Katie Renwick, 20, was selected after applying as part of her degree in hospitality and hotel management at the Edge Hotel School in Essex.

As well as support with funding her education, Katie was invited to a unique training day at the champagne house’s offices in London where she was introduced to a selection of champagnes, including Moet Ice Impérial, the first and only champagne especially created to be enjoyed over ice.

She also learnt how to differentiate between the textures and tastes of different varieties and how to correctly serve the popular drink.

Katie said: "You couldn’t get an experience like this anywhere else. I’m looking to forge a career in hotel management and hospitality and I hope this link with such a well-known and respected name will give me something extra. It’s been a really interesting and fantastic experience."

Pierre Darquey, account manager at Moet & Chandon, said: "We are delighted to award this unique opportunity to Katie. The scholarship was developed to support a hospitality student at the Edge Hotel School where we look for young professionals who aspire to achieve the highest levels in their academic studies and have a real passion for a career in the industry."

The Edge Hotel School is based at the University of Essex in Colchester and runs two-year degree programmes in hotel management and events management with hospitality. Students work in the four star Wivenhoe House Hotel as part of their course, gaining practical, hands-on experience in a variety of roles.