A profoundly deaf schoolboy passionate about the environment is in the running to win a prestigious position.

David Lawson, 17, is one of four youngsters from the Yorkshire and Humber region to face an interview by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to become a Government-backed climate-change champion.

The first-year A-level student at Nab Wood School, Shipley, will have to convince the judges he has the skills to spread the word about climate change.

If successful, David - Nab Wood's head boy - will spend a year "in office" as the region's Climate Change Champion.

Part of the winner's duties will include a fact-finding tour to Switzerland to see the effects of change on the Gurschen glacier and a chance to discuss ideas with a senior Govern-ment minister.

David, a member of the National Academy for the Gifted and Talented Youth, communicates well by lip-reading and talking - and is a keen member of the Nab Wood School debating society. He was one of 600 teenagers to enter the competition by submitting a report on the environment.

David, of Alter Drive, Heaton, wrote the front page of a futuristic newspaper set in 2042 which highlighted the possible effects of climate change and the current lack of long-term plans to counter it. He said global issues were a priority which could only be tackled if people pushed to make a difference.

"There is no instant solution that's going to make climate change go away and because of that it's one of the top priorities," David said.

If he was chosen to represent the region, David said he would hope to develop his knowledge of the subject.

He also said he hoped he could encourage people to think more about their effects on the environment.

"It's getting people wanting to do something about it and making sacrifices," he said.

He said he would ultimately like to forge a career in global environmental issues.