Shropshire 'brain drain': Why I left county for a brighter future

She is among those who have created a new life for themselves away from their native Shropshire.

From Shifnal, and a former pupil of Idsall School, she said her dreams of becoming a doctor were her first reasons for moving out of the county.

She said: "I decided to pursue a medical career which meant that I definitely had to leave the county as there are no medical schools there.

• MORE: Concerns as brightest youngsters desert county of birth
• MORE: We must keep youngsters to attract investment

"However, had I chosen something else I would have left the county anyway as there is a real lack of higher education opportunities, especially for those studying at a higher level or pursuing academic careers."

But she said, that even if those options were available within Shropshire, she still would have left to experience more of what Great Britain has to offer.

She said: "On top of this, for me, even if Shropshire did have a medical school, I would have left anyway.

"It is a beautiful and secure place to grow up through childhood, but there is very little diversity.

"I wanted to break out of the insular environment, and experience that diversity.

"Underneath all of that, I guess there is also the desire to get away from the family home and establish yourself as an independent person."

Despite now being fully qualified, Natasha said her chosen path still meant that returning to Shropshire was not a possibility.

She said: "When it came to applying for my jobs, Shropshire wasn't an option, for two reasons.

"I want to pursue an academic medical career which means that alongside working as a clinical doctor I'll be undertaking postgraduate qualifications, as well as undertaking research and educational duties at a university.

"Unfortunately none of these academic jobs are available in Shropshire.

"Secondly, places like Manchester and York have the best of both worlds in that they have the energy and diversity and facilities of a city, whilst also being right on the doorstep of beautiful national parks such as the Peak District and North Yorkshire Moors.

"Returning to Shropshire is certainly not in my plans for the future. It's countryside is beautiful enough for me to enjoy visits to my parents, but there is no other pull beyond that.

"I imagine many other young people leave for similar reasons, initially in the pursuit of higher education and then the fact that there are many more opportunities available in more urban areas.

"Also for many people whilst they're still young, once they've lived in a city, Shropshire would seem too 'sleepy' to return to."