A young chef trained in Brighton has won one of the most prestigious culinary titles available.

Armand Sablon, 26, was picked for the coveted Roux Scholarship by a panel of judges including top chefs Heston Blumenthal, Gary Rhodes and brothers Michel and Alain Roux.

The award, made once a year, will entitle the former City College Brighton and Hove student to a three-month spell working at a three-Michelin-starred restaurant. He will receive a £3,000 cash prize as well as a set of knives worth £1,000 and trips to New York and Milan.

Mr Sablon was presented with the award by Michel Roux after a "cook off" at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London.

He said: "This is the most fantastic point in my career. I am just so thrilled and I look forward to every aspect of the year ahead."

Each of the finalists had to prepare their own interpretations of the Escoffier Tournedos Rachel and Roux Bordelaise Sauce dishes. Past winners of the award have gone on to work in some of the most famous kitchens in the country.