CHEF Scott O'Sullivan is going Down Under to cook up a new life for himself.

The 23-year-old, who currently works and lives at the Wellsprings Inn, Sabden, is emigrating to Perth, Australia, in November.

He has been trying to get the required visa since he returned from a year-long stay in the country in 1995. He said: "I finished training at Accrington and Rossendale College in 1994 then went to Australia for a year. I was lucky enough to work at the Sydney Opera House, catering for up to 1,000 people at a time. I cooked for Pierce Brosnan, Margaret Thatcher and Billy Connolly. It was brilliant.

"Emigrating is a very big step but it is the only thing I have looked forward to since I got back."

Scott, originally from Wilpshire, will fly out with a group including his girlfriend, Rachel Hoyle, 24 and her son William, five, who also live at Wellsprings, to celebrate the Millennium.

Scott will stay in Perth while the others return to England.

He said he felt the career prospects were better in Australia than in England. "When I was over there it was really satisfying. I was also earning more at the age of 19 than I am now.

"Hopefully, I will be able, eventually, to open my own restaurant."

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