AN aspiring carpenter has stunned bosses at a construction training firm by flying 20,000 miles to take a course.

Staff at Thirsk-based SuperSkills said they were taken aback when they received an email from Paddy Edmondson asking if he could come from Australia to complete his qualifications.

Mr Edmondson said he had to obtain formal recognition of his skills to renew his Australian work visa and there were no similar courses in Australia to the one the firm offers, which would ensure he could meet industry safety and competence standards.

A spokeswoman for the firm said: “We regularly get people from places as far apart as Penzance or Aberdeen who cannot find the best way to get their qualifications anywhere else.

"It is not unusual for SuperSkills to receive visitors from Ireland or other European countries, they fly in to Leeds/Bradford Airport and we pick them up.”

Mr Edmondson, who is originally from Northern Ireland, said the trip was financially viable as he had secured a discounted air fare and that he planned to catch up with friends for a few days before returning to Australia.

He said: “SuperSkills provided an excellent course to gain my much needed qualification, with very friendly and professional staff, who went that extra mile - literally picking me up from the airport.”