A TEENAGER from Stonehouse has been named as a BAFTA young game designer’s finalist.

Tom Panton, aged 16, was shortlisted for his game Metal Labyrinth – an action game challenging players to avoid turrets and fight enemies whilst collecting coins enabling them to customise their spaceships.

He was picked by a jury of industry experts in BAFTA’s nation-wide game design competition for 10-18 year-olds.

“It’s an honour,” said Tom, on being nominated.

“I’m very proud of my game and it’s something that I’ve really enjoyed working on. “I am looking forward to the ceremony so that I can showcase my game to even more people.

“Being involved in this competition has given me a lot of confidence to keep designing in the future and keep improving.”

The winners will be revealed at a special awards ceremony held at BAFTA’s headquarters in London on Saturday, July 23.

It will be attended by the 50 finalists who represent 40 games as individuals, pairs or teams of three.

Harvey Elliott, chairman of the BAFTA Games Committee, said: “Each year we are overwhelmed by the calibre of talent identified in this competition, and this year is no exception, with our finalists clearly among the most promising young games designers in the country.

“We look forward to celebrating their achievements at the ceremony in July.”

The BAFTA Young Game Designers (YGD) competition, now in its sixth year, presents awards in two main categories: The Game Concept Award, for entrants who submit a written idea for a new game; the Game Making Award, for entrants who submit a game they have made using computer software.

Winners of both strands, in the 10-14 and 15-18 age ranges, will receive a host of prizes, including further development of their game by industry experts.

Finalists come from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and one-third are female.

The competition is part of a year-round programme of activity that gives young people and educators unique insights into the games industry and access to the creative minds behind some of their favourite games.

Support includes a website (www.bafta.org/ygd) where BAFTA members, award winners and nominees share their insights and advice and a range of teaching resources that link the BAFTA YGD competition to the national curriculum.