AN ILMINSTER boy has been shortlisted for a top award at the up-coming BAFTA awards ceremony.

James Lindsay, 11, is one of two Somerset youngsters in the running for a British Academy prize later this year.

He was joined by Wellington 16-year-old Jagoda Warda to be named as one of the competition’s 53 finalists.

The pair have been recognised in a bid to find game designers of the future.

People aged 10 to 18 submitted game designs and concepts addressing a range of issues, including climate change, disability, and transgender rights.

James’ game concept is called Water the Crops, in which climate change is making it hard for Spud the potato farmer.

There’s less rain and more storms, but you can help water the crops by diverting rain using drone umbrellas.

The Ilminster boy said: “I’m so excited to make the final ten. This is the biggest project I’ve ever done (it took about nine months) and I was really hoping the judges would like it.”

Finalists will be competing for the Game Concept Award, which recognises a paper-based written game idea, and the Game Making Award for those who have developed their coding skills and submitted a prototype game made using freely available software.

The finalists worked on their entries in a variety of ways, including individually, within a team at school, through coding clubs, or at home with friends and family.

Jo Twist, chairman of games committee at BAFTA, said: “Games are a fantastic art form for creators to express themselves, and I am delighted to see young people tackling important topics through their design and concept entries this year.

“Their creativity and ambition for social change through the medium of games is inspiring. A very well deserved congratulations and good luck to all the 2019 finalists.”

The annual BAFTA Young Game Designers (YGD) competition began in 2010.

Jagoda’s game concept, which is called Colour Theory, is an adventure game set in a fading world losing its colour.

Anna Warda, Jagoda’s mum, said: “I am so proud of Jagoda for being selected as one of the finalists. I know how important it is for her as she is very passionate and interested in becoming a game developer in the future.”