Thanks for your comments,
just a note, I am well aware as to the lack of aerodrome opportunity with NATS, hence my starting of the thread. (see my first post).
I have as much desire as the next ATCO wannabe to work for NATS. My point was A) I have little interest in sitting in front of a computer screen in a 'warehouse' on the south coast, and B) due to the lack of opportunity to reach a tower how I would get there.
When I stated 'serve some time with NATS' i was refering to a long period, not five years or so... being young I dont feel it would be a problem to move on later in my career.
thanks anyway