KAMTORN Ridgers is on track to achieve his dream of becoming a mechanic after a kind-hearted boss saw his plea for help in the Evening Advertiser.

In desperation, after failing to find a mechanical apprenticeship, Kamtorn, 24, who lives in Wroughton, emailed us to see if we could highlight his quest for work.

Then James Richardson, the owner of J F R Autos, in Goddard Avenue, promptly stepped in to offered him an apprenticeship at his Old Town workshop.

"The same night the story appeared in the paper I had a phone call from James," said Kamtorn.

"It turned out he was looking for someone to give him a bit of a hand.

"I went down there the following day and he offered me an apprenticeship there and then.

"He said that he wanted somebody who was willing to learn the trade and wasn't bothered about getting their hands dirty.

"I'm really enjoying it and I've got a lot of respect for James he's given me the chance to prove myself."

In September Kamtorn hopes to cement his newly-acquired skills on a part-time engineering course at Swindon College.

While Kamtorn still believes many Swindon bosses are refusing to look past people's ages he said he now knows there are people out there who are prepared to look past dates of birth.

Mr Richardson, who started the business eight months ago, even reckons the older apprentice has the edge over the one fresh from school.

He said: "Why should age stop you from learning a trade?

"It's worked out fine for me. I wanted somebody who is mature and is enthusiastic and Kamtorn is just that.

"He's a brilliant lad and in the few days he's been working here he's done nothing but impress me."