A student has received a scholarship to study medicine.

Shiraaz Mizan, from Blackburn, has been awarded the Mackenzie Scholarship from the University of Central Lancashire's School of Medicine.

The scholarship covers all tuition fees for the five-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree course.

The scholarship is jointly funded by the university and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

It is offered annually to an East Lancashire-based student from families that are under-represented at universities.

It is one of four medical scholarships created by the university to attract talented students from a wide variety of backgrounds.

The former Blackburn Central High School and Clitheroe Royal Grammar Sixth Form pupil has always wanted to become a doctor to help people, particularly the elderly, stay healthy and independent.

Shiraaz's desire to help elderly people was 'further strengthened' after his father suffered a haemorrhagic stroke five years ago and the 21-year-old felt the effects first-hand.

He said: "I have wanted to work in medicine for a long time and after seeing what my dad went through, it brought home how the loss of independence can have a detrimental impact on a person.

"Knowing that events like these are not only common but can easily be ignored if you don’t know what to look for, I wanted to start a journey of becoming a healer, teacher and mentor.

"Now I am even more determined to qualify as a doctor and be able to help people in my local community."