FROM canoes to nuclear submarines, a talented young engineer who achieved his childhood ambition has been named the Rolls-Royce trainee of the year.

Tony Bell, 23, dreamed of becoming an engineer and, while studying at Ulverston Victoria High School, his design to help nervous and disabled people learn to canoe without capsizing won national recognition.

Tony gained a first-class honours degree in mechanical engineering, and his hard work paid off when he was taken on by Rolls-Royce Naval Marine.

It was a proud day for parents Ray and Wendy - who live in Ulverston - and wife Miriam when Rolls-Royce chairman Sir Ralph Robins presented the top trainee with his prize.

"We are very proud of him," Mr Bell, a telecommunications engineer, told the Gazette.

"He's happy with life and work and everything - the sun's shining as far as he's concerned."

It was while studying for his GCSE exams that Tony showed great promise as a budding engineer.

The keen canoer with an eye for detail designed a stabilising device to help people stay afloat while learning to canoe.

The clever design reached the national finals of the Young Inventor of the Year competition, and fuelled Tony's dream of becoming an engineer.

His degree success at Sheffield Hallam University opened the door to Rolls-Royce, the global leader in marine power systems.

"He was over the moon because they are a very, very good quality company," recalled Mr Bell.

Tony joined Rolls-Royce as a graduate trainee 14 months ago, and spent four months at the Rosyth Royal Dockyard, Scotland.

He also joined the team developing the latest marine gas turbine engine which will power the Royal Navy's next generation Type 45 destroyer.

Tony has just returned to Derby for his final placements at the Raynesway site where propulsion equipment for the British fleet of nuclear-powered submarines is made.

He expects to take up his first full-time post, probably at Derby, this summer.

A keen saxaphone player and golfer, Tony plays badminton and tennis for Rolls-Royce clubs, and sings in a choir.

He lives in Nottingham, where he married last September.

"To be selected winner is great," he said.

"From a personal point of view it will be a good chance to raise my profile, but the whole experience has been enjoyable."

Mr Bell said Tony loves his work at Rolls-Royce.

"Every time he comes home he's full of it, and so he should be - he's young, he's had a good start, and if you can enjoy your job as well as do well at it, that's very, very pleasing."