Blake Birch, aged nine from Ross, has had the experience of a lifetime after winning a national competition to be named a Haribo Little Apprentice - giving him the chance to run and experience the exciting sights and smells of the famous sweet factory.

As a Haribo Little Apprentice, Blake was one of just 13 children to enter the Happy World of Haribo. Not only did Blake work with the factory team, he also got to meet brand mascot Goldbear, took a tour around the factory, tasted brand new treats and came up with his own imaginative sweet suggestions, flavours and textures.

To win the prize Blake had to explain what he would do if he ran the Haribo factory for a day and what sweet treat he would invent. To secure his place at this 'money can't buy experience' Blake created a poem and presented his entry in a very imaginative way.

Haribo's Marketing Manager, Katy Clark said: "The Haribo team loved the detail and effort that was evident in Blake's entry, the quality of his poem and in particular the imaginative way of presenting his entry. From his entry we could see that he would make a fantastic Little Apprentice."

She added: "There is no doubt that this competition is what most children, and adults, dream about. The genuine money can't buy experience of running a sweet factory for the day can't be beaten. It's fun, exciting and you get the chance to sample brand new sweet treats.

"We hope that the children had a thoroughly enjoyable day and that it was an experience they will remember forever."

Blake said: "My favourite part was eating sweets that have not been put on sale. No one else in the country has tried the sweets. I put lots of time into my poem and winning made me feel really special."