MILFORD Haven Port Authority has announced the official launch of its annual Scholarship Scheme and is welcoming applications from eligible students.

The 2010 Scholarship Scheme will give four undergraduates an award of £1,000. New for 2010, the scheme offers a placement at Milford Haven Port Authority (MHPA) during summer 2011. The successful students will be given a fantastic opportunity to work closely within the authority's wide range of business functions, including marine, engineering, commercial, environmental and business support units.

Applicants should be on a first degree course at a British university, have spent the majority of their secondary education at a Pembrokeshire secondary school or should have lived in Pembrokeshire, but studied at a secondary school in an adjacent county.

Application is through an online form which can be found on the MHPA website, http://www.mhpa.co.uk">www.mhpa.co.uk. Applications must be completed online by November 26, following which a short-list will be drawn for interview during the first week of January 2011.

Catherine McNally, winner of the Scholarship Scheme in 2008, commented: "The MHPA scholarship has helped greatly towards the costs of my university course and it will also finance my stay in London later this year to undertake a work experience placement, which I hope will help towards my future career aspirations.

"Even the process itself was beneficial, as it gave the experience of a panel interview and the valuable realisation that to compete against equally capable candidates, in not only this scheme, but for future graduate jobs, it is imperative to stand out from the crowd.

"Receiving support and investment from the MHPA has motivated me to work harder to achieve my aims and I am very grateful for the kindness and generosity I have been shown."

Since the scheme was developed in 2003, it has financially assisted 37 students in their pursuit of higher education. For further information and to complete the online form, please visit http://www.mhpa.co.uk">www.mhpa.co.uk.