A PAINTING and decorating student reached the national final of a construction craft competition.

NVQ level three student David Edson, from New College Durham, recently represented the region at the Skillbuild national final in Somerset, having won the regional heat, which was held at New College Durham earlier this year.

The national final was held in Taunton over a three-day period.

David was given a technical specification drawing that he had to recreate on a wall, which tested a wide range of painting and decorating skills such as stencilling, lettering and paper hanging.

David, from Sedgefield, said: "Skillbuild was a great experience and there was a lot of pressure involved in getting the tasks completed to deadline, which has helped me respond to timescales at work and at college."

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."

The winner of the painting and decorating section was Natalie Raeside, from Scotland, while the overall prize for the competition went to Dean Richards, from Wales.