A LUCKY Southampton teenager is getting the chance of a lifetime, thanks to the city's new multi million pound shopping centre.

Brian Talbot, 18, is being sponsored by the West Quay shopping complex to take part in the first leg of the Tall Ships race which leaves the city next month.

Brian was selected from a number of people who have signed up on the centre's new job skills register, which aims to link local people with the expected 3,500 new jobs created when the shopping complex opens its doors to the public this September.

The teenager, who has never done any sailing before, was over the moon when he found out he had a place on the 92ft high Europa tall ship as it sails from Southampton to Cadiz in southern Spain.

"I was shocked when I heard I was going," said Brian, of Lime Street, Southampton. "I didn't think I would get this far. When it came down to the last four people I would have been happy for whoever was picked. I never usually win anything.

"I am really looking forward to going. It is just the chance of a lifetime. It is more of an adventure than anything else and I will learn a lot from it," he said.

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