A team from York College has come out on top in the annual UK Masonry Skills Challenge, organised by Stone Federation Great Britain and held in Weymouth.

17 apprentice masons from six colleges in England and Scotland took part in the competition. They were each asked to complete a set project, working on a piece of Portland stone, and were initially provided with a drawing of the test piece at a scale of 1:2.

They had to make a full size zinc section, zinc reverse section and bed mould in plastic and were told that the quality of the templates and moulds would be part of the challenge.

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The stone had to be worked with a traditional mallet and chisel and no mechanical tools were allowed.

Three York apprentices made it onto the short list of six finalists, which helped the college win the team prize. Matthew Leach from York finished second overall, with the winner being James Preston from Bath.

As well as York entrants came from Glasgow Metropolitan College, Moulton College, Northampton, Weymouth College, Bath College and Telford College, Edinburgh.

Members of the York team received the Peter Ellis Trophy. Peter was a leading member of Stone Federation Great Britain and an honorary member in recognition of his work to improve training in the natural stone industry and to encourage young people to make stone their career. His son David presented the trophy.

Stone Federation chief executive Jane Buxey said: "The standard of the competitors was very high and it is to York's great credit that they managed to win the team competition."

(NS/JM)