A youth councillor is set to help build a school in India after being awarded a scholarship.

Jamey McIvor, 16, of Anglo European Sixth Form in Ingatestone, was selected as one of 30 UK teenagers to receive the 2015 Virgin Atlantic ‘Be The Change Volunteer’ Trip funding on Friday (May 15).

The Epping Forest District Youth Councillor will travel to Asia in August alongside a group of 12 to 18-year-olds where he will assist communities in Rajasthan, India.

The schoolboy, who graduated from St John’s High School in Epping last year, will volunteer in a rural village, help build a school and a well and participate in interactive workshops to explore global issues.

He said: “I feel honoured to have been given such a unique opportunity where I hope to make a real difference to the lives of those who are not as fortunate as ourselves.

“I look forward to establishing a link between the two communities.

“It will be a unique, exciting and adventurous experience which I am very much looking forward to.

“I am passionate about global citizenship and I look forward to sharing my experiences when I return and hopefully inspire other young people to take part in similar activities.”