A star in the making is set to make his TV debut next week when he appears on a new children's television show broadcast nationwide.

Thirteen-year-old Callam Bradley, a student at Greenhead High School, Utley, was one of 12 children picked from throughout the country to star on the brand new BBC children's TV show Level Up.

The show will be broadcast every weekday morning, starting next week and running until September 1 this year, and will be about the challenges and opportunities faced by children in 2006.

There will be 12 members of the on screen team, called "Life Gamers", who will feature on live television, via online message boards and in video diaries and short films made about their lives.

Callam said: "When I first found out about the auditions I didn't think about it. But the day before they were due to be held they needed some more people so I went along.

"I had to answer a lot of questions off the top of my head and I wasn't at all camera shy."

The auditions for the TV show were held at the school just over a month ago, and after two weeks Callam was told he had been short-listed for the part of a "Life Gamer".

The BBC then went into the school, taking a webcam, and set about finding out more about their new star.

He is now going down to London to take part in a day of filming at the BBC. He will also be taught how to use the different filming equipment for his short films.

Mum Hilary Cumbers said: "I think it's going to be great for him. It will allow him to be creative, be organised and it will be quite a commitment, but it doesn't require him taking time off school. It's really quite exciting."

Callam will feature on the TV show for the first time on Monday, at 9.30am. He will then be on alternative days the same week and again every two weeks at the normal time of 7.30am.

The show is being presented by Sam and Mark from Pop Idol, and viewers will get to know each individual "Life Gamer" very well through the everyday interaction sessions.

Greenhead High School is set to broadcast the show daily, using new technology at the school.

Marilyn Boyd, director of main school, said: "We are really proud of him.

"He is a talented young man. He will be great on TV.

"We are all hoping it leads somewhere and that he will soon be signing our autograph books."