A BURY teenager has become the star of a national advertising campaign which aims to promote a confidence building programme for young people.

Ashish Ramuni is featured in the National Citizen Service's 'Our Future' campaign, which can be seen on billboards across the country, including in Bury.

The 17-year-old is one of 22 young people chosen to be part of the publicity, who were captured by high-profile photographer Rankin, real name John Rankin Waddell, who has previously took pictures of the Queen.

Ashish, a pupil at Bury Grammar School Boys, took part in the programme last summer, where he launched a campaign about transport prices, visited the Houses of Parliament and helped to put on a play in a care home.

He said: "I had such a great experience on National Citizen Service (NCS) and I hope that by being part of this campaign, I can raise awareness for the programme to inspire other teens to say yes to it too.

"NCS has opened up so many new doors for me, since taking part I’ve gone on to run a successful campaign to aid and improve my local community, meet my local MP in the Houses of Parliament, be invited into 10 Downing Street, and even be part of a national advertising campaign which allowed me to meet and interact with a photographer as incredible and established as Rankin."

The full-time NCS programme is aimed at young people aged between 15 and 17, and is designed at helping them gain work-related skills and build confidence to stand them in good stead for the future.

Ashish's mother, Narmada Katakam, added: “I am so proud of my son for stepping out of his comfort zone and trying something different by attending a three-week programme organised by NCS last summer.

"The difference in him is amazing. Not only has Ashish made so many new friends, but he is so much more confident and determined now.

"There is phenomenal improvement in his public speaking skills. I fill with pride when I see my boy's involvement in social action. Of course, I am proud to see him in the campaign shot by Rankin for the NCS photoshoot, to be advertised all over the nation."

The billboards can be seen in several locations across Bury, including in Bell Lane, Rochdale and Walmersley Road.