A FORMER Kidderminster pupil returned to his old school to chat about his new career as a television weatherman.

Steven Hadley met youngsters at a careers fair at King Charles I school to talk about how he "met" his chosen career.

The former pupil, who left the Comberton Road school in 1996, is a weather presenter on Yorkshire Television and works behind the scenes to provide climate information to other TV stations.

He said his interest in the weather began in 1992 when he witnessed the devastating effects of Hurricane Andrew, which had just hit southern Florida in the United States.

He added: "Back home, I saw my careers officer in the school library at King Charles I School.

"She taught me how to pronounce meteorologist and told me I'd need good A levels in physics and maths to become one so I grafted hard for my A levels, and went on a meteorology degree course at the University of Reading in 1996."

Mr Hadley chatted to year 11 pupils at the school - the only approved science college in Wyre Forest - about science-based careers. Youngsters also took part in mock interviews to learn about jobs as varied as accountancy and undertaking.

Fair organiser and teacher at the school, Dr Andy Dickenson, said he was thrilled with the visit by Mr Hadley, who has worked for the Met Office.

Dr Dickenson explained: "The day was a great experience for the students. Many local employers offered generous support for the day but a particularly successful aspect was that, as well as Steven, who travelled down from Yorkshire, three other ex-students also returned to the school to share their experiences.

"In all, the school has linked up with some 70 ex-students who are engaged in science-based careers following on from their science degrees and other courses after their time in the sixth form at King Charles."