A STUDENT at Bournemouth University has won a national radio scriptwriting competition.

Ricky Santos, 29, was one of five finalists who were asked to write a radio ad for personal injury firm National Accident Helpline's Accident Awareness Week in a contest called Creating Waves 2016.

Mr Santos, who is studying scriptwriting for film and television and was also a finalist in last year's Creating Waves competition, said: "I'm very pleased to have won this year after coming so close last year.

"It's reassuring to know that my work is appreciated and I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing my script brought to life in the studio. I'm excited to see what new prospects the future brings because of this competition."

The script will be put together as an ad with professional voice actors. National Accident Helpline does not cold call people and relies on advertising to attract customers, whom it then puts in touch with personal injury lawyers nationwide.

As a prize, Mr Santos has been granted a work placement with media and entertainment group Global - which operates radio brands including Heart, Capital, Capital XTRA, Classic FM, Smooth, LBC, Radio X and Gold.

Global regional creative director Simon Forster was one of the judges for Creating Waves.

He said Mr Santos' script stood out from the crowd because of its "clear target audience, humour and clear call to action", as well as being "well written" and a "strong concept".

Darran Askew, 32, is studying on the same course as Mr Santos at Bournemouth. He was also chosen as a finalist. He said: "Our lecturers at Bournemouth University are constantly encouraging us to enter competitions.

"Their advice is sound, as it can afford great opportunities."

Before being chosen as winner, Mr Santos and three of the other finalists took a tour of Global's famous studios in London's Leicester Square.

To find out more about Creating Waves and enter the 2017 contest visit national-accident-helpline.co.uk/creating-waves