A GLASSBLOWER has proved herself to be a cut above the rest after winning a national award.

Eloise Alsop, a trainee glassblower at Yorlab, based in Durham and York, picked up the AD Wood Cup at the annual British Society of Scientific Glassblowers convention.

Eloise, a glassblower for two years, created a glass McLeod gauge – normally used to measure low pressures – to win the award.

She said: “To be acknowledged by experienced glassblowers who truly recognise the level of work I have produced is a great confidence boost and I thoroughly enjoyed the chance to demonstrate the variety of techniques I have learned.’’

YorLab head glassblower, Tony Mercer, was also successful at the awards winning the David Flack Memorial Trophy for the second time for his glass steam train.

Alex Davis, managing director of Yorlab, which makes bespoke glassware, said: “It's fantastic to see Eloise and Tony win these awards.

“It is great to see Eloise as a young person flourish and be successful, using her creative ability to complement what she does every day.”