A teenager has been carving a name for himself as a cabinet-maker.

Karl Smith of Richmond may be only 18 but has won the northern regional finals of the Skillbuild competition in Bradford.

Victory against 20 other entrants means he will compete in the national finals in Manchester in November.

He said: "I have wanted to be a cabinet-maker almost for as long as I can remember.

"I saved up for a tool box when I was five and made my mum wooden fish which she still treasures today. I get a real buzz out of making things which people look at and want to buy.''

Karl is a modern apprentice at Northallerton College and works for Philip Bastow, of Reeth, who came third in the competition 20 years ago.

Mr Bastow said: "Karl is very diligent. I only take on people who show a real interest in the trade.''