A REFUGEE, who fled war-torn Syria and arrived in the UK in the back of a frozen chip van, is celebrating after being awarded a place at Oxford University.

Sulaiman Wihba, 20, walked thousands of miles from his home country, before stowing away in a refrigerated lorry at French port Calais and crossing The English Channel to seek sanctuary in the UK.

Now two years later, former Brighton College student said he was thrilled to have been earned an unconditional offer to maths at Balliol College, Oxford, after achieving top grades in his A Levels last summer.

He said: "For me, this feels truly unbelievable. Who would have thought that 17-year-old me, jumping off a lorry when I arrived in the UK, could make it to Oxford?

"It’s been such a tough journey since I left the bombings and the bullets in Damascus but I wouldn’t change anything about it.

"I am also so grateful as I couldn’t have done any of this if it had not been for my parents and my teachers’ amazing support."

Sulaiman achieved four A*s in his maths, further maths, physics and chemistry A levels last summer and was encouraged to apply to the top university by his teachers at Brighton College.

He and his family fled the dangers of Damascus, Syria in 2015.

Some days he would be trapped inside school while a gun battle raged outside, other times as bombs rained down, his mother, father and siblings would have to hide in the family bathroom, which, like many Syrian homes, was in the centre of the house, away from the windows and protected by the attic above.

Sulaiman's long journey to sanctuary in the UK, saw him walk from Syria to Lebanon, then Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Hungary, Austria then France, Calais and finally England, having successfully stowed away in a refrigerated lorry.

Now Sulaiman, his mother, father and two brothers are all settled into Hove life, with Sulaiman revealing a passion for rugby.

Brighton College headmaster Richard Cairns said: “Sulaiman has worked incredibly hard, in the face of great adversity, and he richly deserves this offer.

"We’re proud to have helped this remarkable young man attain his goal. He serves as a shining example to our other pupils of how perseverance and determination are rewarded. We know he will achieve great things in the future.”

Sulaiman's celebration comes as teenagers from all around the county will be receiving an offer to study at either Oxford or Cambridge this week.

Some 30 more Brighton College pupils have been made offers to Oxbridge this week.