A CULLINGWORTH student is jetting to Japan tomorrow to take part in the Junior 7 Summit, the youth equivalent of the G7 meeting of world leaders.

Tom Williams, 18, has been chosen to represent the UK at the summit along with three other young Britons to represent their generation's views on the environment.

The former Parkside School pupil will take part in a packed week of meetings and workshops with young delegates from the other six G7 countries and prepare recommendations for the G7 leaders when they meet in Japan next month.

At the end of the week Tom will also be meeting the Japanese Prime Minister and other high-ranking diplomats.

He was chosen to attend the summit after working in Bangladesh for in the UK Government-funded International Citizen Service (ICS) programme, which brings together young people from the UK and some of the world’s poorest countries to fight poverty.

Tom volunteered with ICS in Bangladesh from September to December 2015 and worked with a Bangladeshi group near Khulna to help women develop their handicrafts businesses.

He said: "It’s a real privilege to be taking part in the J7 Summit.

"We’ll be representing young British people’s interests and making sure the G7 leaders know what steps we want them to take to protect the environment for our and future generations.

"Bangladesh was hard work, but the people were so friendly and generous, despite having nothing.

"It sounds like a cliche, but as an 18-year-old having to do everything for myself for three months was a huge eye-opener in itself."

Lili Marfani, interim director of ICS, said: "We’re thrilled that, as an ICS alumni, Tom has been chosen to take part in the J7 Summit. By attending the J7 Tom will be helping to tackle some of the biggest problems faced by people around the world today.

"ICS is all about encouraging young people to use their energy and passion to fight poverty, help tackle some of the world’s biggest problems as well as make a contribution to their home communities.

"Taking part in the J7 and representing the youth of Great Britain on the international stage is a great example of how young people who have completed their ICS placements continue to stay engaged in the world."

Tom starts studying economics at East Anglia University this autumn.

He lives in Cullingworth with parents Louise Williams and Mark Brundle. He has a younger brother Joe, 17 and sister Holly, 26 who is a lawyer in London.

As a 12-year-old Tom found fame in the Telegraph & Argus when he played for Low Moor cricket team's men's second XI - notably taking five catches as wicketkeeper in a match against Old Crossleyans.

"I haven't managed to play much at home because of studying, but I had plenty of games in Bangladesh," Tom said.