A NORTH-EAST teenager is hoping to tap into success after making it through to a national plumbing final.

Harry Teasdale, from Stockton, is through to the UK Copper Board National Apprentice of the Year final for the third consecutive year.

The 19-year-old works at HT Energy, in Swainby, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire, and studies at Redcar and Cleveland College.

Beating off competition from 11 fellow apprentices from the Tees Valley, Newcastle, Hull and Grimsby, he secured top marks in his regional heat after carrying out complex pipework that tested his plumbing and heating skills.

He will now take part in the finals, in Cheltenham, in April.

He said: “I’m really chuffed to have won the regional heat for the third time, and I hope it will be third time lucky.

“I’m really proud to be representing the North-East again.”

Keith Smith, Redcar and Cleveland College’s head of school for built environment, said he had great faith in Harry's ability.

He added: “ Harry is a very talented apprentice and deserves to be in the final.”