DOZENS of young apprentices have been battling it out for the chance to represent their country in an international contest.

A regional heat of Skillbuild was staged at Darlington College of Technology involving apprentices from all over the North of England.

About 25 budding plasterers, painters, bricklayers, tilers and joiners were set tasks by Skillbuild officials, which they had to complete against the clock. Judges looked for professionalism, quality, technique and organisational skills as well as speed.

Skillbuild aims to increase the profile of vocational skills and attract people to the construction industry.

The winners of the regional competitions staged all over the country will return to Darlington College of Technology in October for the national grand final.

Competitors in 15 trades will go head to head and the winner of each will represent Great Britain at the World Skills Competition involving 800 young tradespeople, which will be held at St Gallen in Switzerland.

Darlington College apprentice Lee Fawcett, from Middleham, is already in the final of the joinery section and is undergoing six weeks of intensive training in a variety of joinery techniques.

He may be joined by fellow college apprentice Nick Barrett, 18, who won the joinery section of the regional heat.