Drama student Paul Szulc, a former behind-the-scenes helper on EastEnders, has won a place at a prestigious summer theatre school.

There were more than 4,000 applicants for the 400 places at the National Youth Theatre which has Roger Moore and Orlando Bloom among its patrons.

Paul, 21, a former pupil at Beckfoot School, Bingley, worked as a runner for the BBC3 EastEnders show during the Christmas holidays as it was filmed at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, London.

He said: "When I was at EastEnders the Cat and Alfie getting married story-line was big and the rise of Andy the gangster was just beginning.

"Everyone was lovely. At first I was star-struck but then you get used to it.

"I respected them and what they were doing, which is getting a lot of shows on in a high-pressured environment. The guy who plays Andy (Michael Higgs) is really nice, totally unlike his persona on screen.

"I also played on the Playstation with Gus and Patrick. I helped out behind the scenes and learned a lot."

Paul, a student at Brunel University in Middlesex, first started acting while he was at the former Nab Wood Middle school then continued at Beckfoot.

The summer school will involve intensive acting training and completion will also qualify him to audition for its future productions in London's West End.

He also hopes to take a show to the Edinburgh Festival later this year, planning to extend his stand-up comedy experience, and is looking for an agent.

His actor idol is comic Jim Carrey and for his audition for the youth theatre he performed a Groucho Marx-style routine.

"I love the quirky movie roles," he said.

"I prefer comedy to Shakespeare and am hoping to get into that arena. I am delighted to get the summer school place," he said.

"It should be a good entry for my CV and I am looking forward to it immensely."