A KIDDERMINSTER school-leaver is set to become one of the youngest funeral directors in the country.

Sixteen-year-old George Birch is currently training at Claire Hoskins Funeral Services in Stourport and Kidderminster. He became part of the team on the same day he left school.

The teenager, who went to King Charles I School, realised he wanted to be a funeral director after a work experience placement he carried out at just 14.

George said: “I just took a bit of a liking to it. It was something I was good at and I get to deal with the public. My friends think it’s weird - they don’t think a young lad should be doing that kind of work.”

In 2010, George won a Tryangle award from Worcestershire County Council for bravery as a young firefighter.

He also referees in a local football league at evenings and weekends, which allowed him to hire his own top hat and tails when he was on work experience.

Hayley Birch, George’s mother, said: “I am just so proud of him for what he has achieved. He’s a credit.

“I work in the mortuary at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch so I think he was always going to be interested in death.”