A Leyton school boy has been chosen to represent the UK at the prestigious Youth Assembly at the United Nations next year.

Zain Hussain, 17, will travel to New York City to debate and learn with students from every UN nation as part of the annual educational event in February 2018.

The Norlington School and Sixth Form student was one of ten young people from Britain selected by judges and will talk about his ideas on climate change with delegates from across the world.

He will spend a week learning about the plans for the future drawn up by the UN and will watch diplomacy in action, with representatives from more than 130 countries.

Zain said: "Every year they focus on a different goal, and they have actual outcomes to achieve. Next year is going to be on the environment and climate change.

"All of my experiences and opportunities at Norlington have given me the confidence to apply. I have taken on the ethos of the school, to aim high and never miss a chance to push yourself.”

Zain has taken part in numerous competitions throughout his time at Norlington and was part of the school’s team with won London Metropolitan University’s Big Idea Challenge last summer.

Norlington's Head of sixth form Mr Georgiades said: “Zain is an inspiration to the students at this school. He has set the bar that other students must now aim to reach.

“Applying for Harvard and to representing Britain at the UN shows that students that come to this school hugely ambitious.”