Last updated 16:17, Thursday, 24 July 2008

DON’T lose faith in the future of the building trade because there’s hope in the pipeline.

Students from Northumberland have been recognised as some of the region's best young builders in regional heats of the SkillBuild competition.

The students were tested for ability, accuracy and practical knowledge of skills like painting, plastering and carpentry.

The Skillbuild contest, managed by ConstructionSkills, the skills council for the construction industry, aims to promote excellence among apprentices.

More than 70 young people from across the North-East entered the competition and the five finalists will now compete against other regional winners in the national final in Leeds this October, in the hope of being crowned Britain's Building Idol.

Sarah Fenton of ConstructionSkills North East, said: “Britain has some extremely talented young tradespeople who deserve to be recognised for their skill.

“The North-East construction industry needs 3,070 new recruits, every year for the next five years, in order to meet demand.”