A 22-year-old Leeds University student has bagged what can only be described as the best job in the world.

Sebastian Smith will spend this summer sliding down chutes and flumes all over the world as a £20,000-a-year water slide tester.

He secured the position after beating off fierce competition from over 2000 other applicants and winning the final of a nationwide campaign run by First Choice holidays at the five-star Iberotel Makadi Saraya Splash Resort in Hurghada, Egypt.

The Design Technology student will visit the company's 20 Splash World resorts over a six-month period to try out the exhilarating chutes.

As well as his salary, he will also enjoy all-expenses paid trips to exotic locations including Faliraki, Turkey and Jamaica and Egypt.

Smith, from Wedmore in Somerset, described his summer job as a "dream come true".

"I'm absolutely over the moon to be chosen as the new slide tester - and can't wait to get started in my new job," he said.

"I can't believe I'll be travelling the world judging slides based on the biggest splash and adrenaline factor.

"It's going to be amazing and I'm really looking forward to being part of the team and to sharing my experiences with holidaymakers via Twitter and Facebook."

Smith's predecessor Tommy Lynch had the job for four years and called it "the best job in the world".

"It can be tough when it's chilly and you have to strip off, but otherwise it's great," Lynch said

"Getting to check out the flumes is by far the best bit. But there is a serious side and it carries a lot of responsibility."