Horsforth cricketer Tim Linley, 23, has been fast tracked into the professional game after becoming the first winner of London County Cricket Club's national Search 4 A Star for 2005 competition.

As well as a trip to South Africa Tim has been awarded a professional contract with Sussex County Cricket Club for 2006.

A fast out-swing bowler Tim beat off the challenge of almost 500 people aged 15 to 24 from around the country who entered the pilot programme.

LCCC's Search 4 A Star was designed to create greater opportunities for young people who want to reach the top in cricket but who might not otherwise have the chance.

Many young people from less advantaged backgrounds have found cricket opportunities inaccessible because they come from inner city areas, for example, or cricket is not played at their school, or they cannot afford the cost of travel to coaching sessions.

Tim is the fifth of six brothers from a Horsforth family who have strong links with their local club Horsforth CC. Tim had been missed by the system and had not been able to join county age group sides in Yorkshire.

When Tim heard about the LCCC's national trials, he was studying for a degree in geography and theology at Oxford Brookes University, while also doing a diploma in sports coaching.

To raise money to put himself through university, Tim juggled part-time jobs with his studies, as well as devoting time to developing himself as a cricketer.

Nearly 500 original entrants were whittled down to 31 players who competed in a final at The Parks in April. A squad of 16 bowlers was then chosen to receive mentoring and technical coaching and join Player Development Workshops at Oxford University Sport Centre and Lords.

Twelve players were then selected to play in LCCC's prestige fixtures in August against England U-18s and the MCC.

Tim was selected as the winner after excelling in the two prestige fixtures and the subsequent off-season Player Development Workshops. Tim is the LCCC's first talented and undiscovered cricketer to be fast-tracked into the professional game.

He receives a scholarship to The NBC Cricket Academy in Cape Town, South Africa, for two months from this month, where he will undergo intensive training alongside other leading professionals.

Previous beneficiaries of this experience include England cricketers Nasser Hussain, James Kirtley, Mathew Hoggard and Matt Prior. Tim has also been awarded a professional contract with Sussex County Cricket Club for 2006, and a 12-month LCCC Bespoke Mentoring Support Programme.

A delighted Tim said: "This opportunity is something I dreamed about for years and one I am determined to maximise. I owe a debt of gratitude to many people who have supported me, in particular my parents and five brothers, my friends at Horsforth CC in Leeds and my coach at Oxford UCCE, Graham Charlesworth.

"The LCCC talent identification programme is a marvellous opportunity for people like me who are late starters or late developers. I am looking forward to travelling to South Africa to accelerate my development, and hope this will give me the very best chance of achieving success in professional cricket with Sussex County Cricket Club."

Tim is a former pupil at Menston St Mary's RC School and plays his club cricket for Horsforth in the Airedale and Wharfedale League.