A teenager working at a Hatfield Peverel firm is the county council’s 3,000th apprentice.

Paige Hughes, 18, has recently began working for Allwag Promotions, a distributor of printed merchandise, business gifts and corporate clothing, after deciding college wasn’t right for her.

Paige - who is the landmark recruitment for Essex County Council since the launch of the Essex Apprentice programme five years ago - would recommend turning to an apprenticeship as an alternative to college and university.

The Shenfield resident said: “I started sixth form but I decided it really wasn’t for me.

“I was really keen to start work but wanted to keep learning."

See the Braintree and Witham Times - out tomorrow - for the full story.