A wine waiter has landed himself a place on a corking training course.
Timothy Gironde, who works at the Macdonald Brandon Hall Hotel & Spa in Main Street, Brandon, near Coventry, is one of only 12 people selected to be trained as a sommelier by the Macdonald Hotels & Resorts chain.
The nationwide group has handpicked a dozen staff at its 60 hotels across the UK.
The Frenchman, who lives in Brandon, will learn all aspects of wine and the wine industry during the course which includes four weeks of tuition and several months of study.
The 23-year-old said: "I am thrilled to have been chosen. Wine has always interested me and now I will be fully educated in the subject. We will learn all about the wine-making process, grape varieties and which foods are best suited to certain wines.
"There is a tremendous amount of work to pass the course - but I can certainly think of worse subjects to study."
Lee Mason, restaurant manager at the four-star hotel, said that Timothy has earned his opportunity by working his way up at the hotel.
He said: "Timothy is a very diligent worker who has progressed because of his attitude. He always wants to learn and this is a great opportunity for him to add an extra string to his bow."
