Ryedale Folk Museum has become one of only eight museums in Britain to be given funding to provide an apprentice curator.

Sixteen year-old David Hill, of Terrington, a former pupil at Ryedale School, has been appointed the museum’s first cultural and creative apprentice.

He has already made his mark, updating the museum’s blog and website, working with its array of collections and helping with exhibitions.

David said: “I became interested in museums through a teacher and when I heard Ryedale Folk Museum was looking for an apprentice I jumped at the chance.”

He is now developing his skills in the hope that eventually he make museum life and media studies his career.

David, whose hobbies include art, photography, cooking, horse riding, and walking in the countryside, will be at the popular Hutton-le-Hole museum for two years.

Mike Benson, museum director, said: “David is encouraging more young people to get involved in the museum and has been invaluable with cutting edge technology and enabling us to learn new ideas.”

There is further good news for the museum which is planning to build a £2 million extension to house a unique collection of 10,000-plus items, collected by the Harrison brothers of Kirkbymoorside, over half a century.

Meanwhile, the museum has also appointed a volunteer co-ordinator, Barbara Bennett.

For many years she taught in Ryedale schools, the most recent being Slingsby primary, but ill health forced her to retire earlier. Now fully recovered, she has found a new role.

She said: “We rely so much on our volunteers – we have more than 200 – but we are always looking for more. I am sure there are many people in Ryedale with skills which would be invaluable to the museum.

“This is a multi-faceted enterprise and I have been amazed at the tremendous support there is from people in all walks of life who come to help.”

The museum has several events in the next few weeks. Until November 1, museum staff will be putting on activities for the school half-term based on potatoes – cooking, printing and spud guns.

On Saturday, there will be a Halloween party and on Saturday, November 15, there will be an open day featuring rural craft workers.