A PAINTING and decorating student has done himself proud in the national final of a craft competition.

NVQ level three student David Edson, from New College Durham, represented the region at the Skillbuild national final in Taunton, Somerset, having won the regional heat.

The student was given a technical drawing that he had to recreate on a wall, testing skills such as stencilling, lettering and paper hanging.

David, who lives in Sedgefield, said: "Skillbuild was a great experience and there was a lot of pressure involved in getting the tasks completed to deadline."

Mark Anderson, head of School of Technology at New College Durham, said: "He produced a fantastic piece of work and was a credit to his employer, the college and himself."

David was beaten to the trophies for painting and decorating and overall by rivals from Scotland and Wales.