A CREATIVE Ribble Valley student is celebrating after his unique sensory maze for dogs has been picked to feature on the BBC’s Blue Peter programme.

Connor Nealon, a pupil at the prestigious Stonyhurst College in Hurst Green, spent three years working on the maze which will be completed this week and will be shown on the popular children’s programme on Saturday.

The 16-year-old created the device for the animal charity The Dog’s Trust as part of his ‘Eagle project’, a major step towards earning the rank of Eagle Scout — the highest rank within the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), only accomplished by five per cent of scouts worldwide.

To fulfill the requirements of the Eagle project, Connor was tasked to think of a project for a community charity and he chose the largest dog welfare charity in the UK.

The animal charity has donated £2,500 towards the 40 square metre maze which contains hedges and five tonnes of bark and flowers.

Connor, who moved to England with his family from Washington DC eight years ago, had to recruit, co-ordinate, feed and manage a group of around 35 volunteers from Blue Peter, The Dogs Trust and family and friends, to make his project a reality.

The youngster who has continued to work his way up the ranks of scout membership from Tenderfoot to Life, said: “I had to build a shelter and spend two nights in the wild alone for the survival badge, with only a chocolate bar and a sandwich.

“I have gained much from being a scout, such as self-discipline, determination and ingenuity and I’m really looking forward to the launch, and seeing the dogs use the maze for the first time.

“I’d really love a dog of my own but, sadly, my dad has an allergy to them!”