IT is not the look of a typical teenager’s bedroom.

But William Leisk, 17, would probably not describe himself as a typical teenager, having self-titled himself a “ceramic collector extraordinaire”.

Lining the walls are cabinets and shelves filled with around 100 valuable Wedgwood antiques.

William, of Colchester, started collecting the famous antiques aged just nine and numerous visits to car boot sales and auctions have led to not only his proud collection - but a life-changing opportunity for the budding entrepreneur.

He has been offered an eight-week internship at the Birmingham Museum of Art, Alabama, which has the best collection of Wedgwood outside of the UK.

William, who is at Colchester Institute, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for me, a young collector, as the internship is usually offered to American college graduates. I was offered this opportunity at a seminar on Wedgwood Ceramics which was held at the Wedgwood Museum in Stoke-on-Trent.

“Whilst there, I met one of the curators who not only took a shine to my knowledge and ambition to learn but saw this opportunity as a means to grow my expertise and transform my hobby from a collecting interest to an academic vocation.”

William, who studies business at Colchester Institute, had been attending a seminar at the museum at the time and was shocked to have been offered the internship on the spot.

He added: “I couldn’t believe I was being offered this opportunity, I thought it was a joke.

“I gave her my email address and she said at some point she would send some information over, which she did about two weeks later.”

Over time, William’s collection has extended from modern pieces to items as early as from the 18th century.

William’s mum Fiona introduced him to antiques at fairs and boot sales.

He said: “It was how much history the items had, the craftsmanship involved.”

With a collection so vast, William admitted it is hard to keep his antiques confined to his room.

“It has slowly crept around the house, but when my dad sees it, I get told off!” he added.

Visitors to the family home are also inquisitive.

“Some of them think I am a bit weird but when I talk to them they sort of understand it.

“One of my best pieces is a monocular, made in about 1790 and there are only about eight of them around the world, I bought it on Ebay with some inheritance money from my grandfather or usually I buy items with pocket money, and I also have a job at an antiques centre in Halstead.”

William’s expertise and wealth of contacts mean he’s now unlikely to fall foul of a fake Wedgwood item.

He’s deliberately kept the three to four counterfeit items he mistakenly bought in the past to use for reference.

Such is William’s expertise he now frequently sells pieces online he has bought from other auctions.

Wedgwood pottery was made in Stoke-on-Trent by Josiah Wedgwood from 1759.

His craftsmen made many styles of pottery from domestic ware to exquisitely fine pieces designed to decorate the home and show off the wealth and taste of the owner.

William’s internship is from June to August and he is seeking donations to help fund the costs, totalling £3,500. Donate at www.gofundme.com/America2k17