A 19-YEAR-OLD apprentice has won through to the national finals of a competition for cabinet-makers for the second year running.

Reeth-based Karl Smith, who is still learning his trade at Northallerton College, will be one of six craftsmen who will be handed some wood and a blueprint in November and given four days to return with a finished item.

If his cabinet is chosen, Karl will go on to represent England at an international final in Finland.

The teenager has already chalked up a second place in the national rounds - one better than his boss, Philip Bastow, who managed third in the competition in the 1980s.

"Karl has done well and the whole thing is good for apprenticeship training," said Mr Bastow.

"It shows you can get on if you work hard with proper training. It also helps to keep the flag flying for traditional skills and hand-made furniture in an age of flashy, mass production."

Karl hopes to have an edge after his experience in the competition last year.

"Since last year's finals, I've been let loose on bigger items at work, including a library unit and a nest of tables. I'm more experienced," he said.