THE National Lottery has launched a talent search across Northumberland to find an ambitious, young budding TV presenter to star in a brand-new mini-series.

The Lottery invested more than £5m into local good causes in the county during 2017, and a young person is wanted to star in the mini-series to work alongside a yet-to-be-announced local celebrity. The series will uncover some of the projects the money has helped to support and shine a light on the people whose lives have been impacted.

The casting team for the series will be looking for people who are passionate about their local area and the issues within their community.

Together with their co-host and camera crew, they will hit the streets to meet the people behind some initiatives, discovering the life-changing impact of National Lottery funding.

In addition to being the face of the mini-series, the National Lottery will give their budding broadcast career an extra boost. The chosen talent will get on-the-ground experience with an additional two-week paid internship at local radio station, Metro Radio.

To enter, wannabe presenters should head to Metro Radio’s website and submit a short paragraph explaining why they should be selected, as well as discuss a local issue that they are most passionate about. The three most-impressive entrants will be selected to take part in a short screen test in front of the producers of the mini-series.

Jonathan Tuchner from The National Lottery said: “Funding from The National Lottery touches countless local lives in cities across the UK, which many people don’t realise. We’re looking for local talent - potentially the next Stacey Dooley - to help show just where National Lottery funding goes in Northumberland.

"They will be confident on camera with a flair for storytelling to help us celebrate the people at the heart of National Lottery-funded local projects - focussed on everything from tackling loneliness and isolation to promoting better mental and physical health and restoring historic landmarks.”