A YEAR 7 pupil has developed a new app which is on the Apple App Store at the tender age of 12.

Everest Community Academy pupil Jakub Winczewski has designed an app called KookieMonster which uses cartoon characters and fortune cookies to share Chinese proverbs.

And now, the app has been snapped up by the App Store.

The 12-year-old said: "My original inspiration for KookieMonster was to help people and to share Chinese wisdom with the world. A lot of people don’t appreciate what wisdom Chinese cookies can hold."

Jakub, who spent 'a couple of weeks' coming up with the code for KookieMonster, first started coding at the age of seven with a programme called Scratch and he has learn from there.

When asked about why he likes to code, Jakub said: "My main interest is problem solving and programming fits my interest perfectly. In programming you have to problem solve to write the code, and if you are good enough you can even write your own games."

There has also been inspiration close to home.

The young coder added: "The reason why I decided to make an iOS app is because of my father. He was creating an emoji app for iOS and that inspired me to create my own iOS app.

"Another inspiration is that my dad is a game developer and I wanted to help him and his game. His game is meant to help people and is aimed to cure anxiety, or at least help it, so I decided to make an app that helps people decide their future choices."

Mum Karolina added: "It is quite an achievement to for a 12-year-old to do this (get an app on the App Store). I'm very proud of him, I was amazed actually!"

Speaking about how others can get involved in coding, Jakub said: "My advice for anyone who wants to write a program to start easy like on Scratch and not to get discouraged, as programming can be a daunting task, just like putting together puzzles.

"Once you learn the basics, move to a language that will satisfy what you want to create. Don’t give up. As the reward is as satisfying as a picture on a completed puzzle."

To get the free app, search for KookieMonster - Fortune Cookie on the App Store.