A BUCKHURST Hill student has made history at Cambridge University by being elected president of the Cambridge Union in his first year of studying.

Bobby Friedman, of Knighton Lane, was elected president of the society in the 14th week of studying for a degree in social and political sciences.

It is thought to be the first time a student has become union presidentwithin such a short space of time.

The former Bancroft's and City of London pupil said he decided to run for the position after becoming involved with the union by accident.

"I got into this by chance. I went along at the beginning of term, like a lot of freshers do. Then a senior officer resigned and I just thought I'd give it a go. It carried on from there.

"I had been planning to run for president for most of the term. It was just a relief to get through. I was just glad to have got through the count, and to have it all worked out.

"The feeling was incredible the count of the votes took three hours and I was a nervous wreck, but when I heard I had won it was an amazing feeling."

Describing the role of the union, which is nearly 200 years old, and has more than 4,000 members, Bobby, 19, said: "It started out as a debating society, it's meant to be the country's oldest, and we do still have weekly debates. But it's more than that.

"We have speakers. Just the other week we had Hans Blix, and we've had people like the Dalai Lama. It'll be up to me to make arrangements, recruit new members; it's a big responsibility."

Bobby is a keen sportsman, playing hockey and football. He has also represented Cambridge in the Varsity Eton Fives match but for now, his spare time will mostly be taken up with the union.

He said: "It's going to be challenging. You win and then wake up the next day and realise what you've got to do.

"I'll be president for six months, and I've got lots of stuff planned. I'd like to hold some kind of event in the debating chamber it would be great for that, and I want to get more people in, like the speakers we've had before."

Bobby now joins a long list of accomplished former presidents including Ken Clarke, and current Conservative Party leader Michael Howard.

He said: "I'm really pleased that when I had this chance, I took it. It's a fantastic place and I'll do my best to do a good job."