A PLUMBER from the region will fly to Canada to represent the country in an international trade skill competition.

Christopher Lonsdale, 22, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, is part of a 26- strong team from across the UK taking part in WorldSkills Calgary 2009.

The event sees 900 competitors from 51 countries competing in skills ranging from bricklaying to landscape gardening, and cooking to floristry.

Mr Lonsdale was welcomed into the team by double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell and Chris Humphries, UK Skills chairman, at an event at the House of Lords recently.

Simon Bartley, team manager, said: “The exceptional work that Christopher carried out proved that he has what it takes to be part of team UK and represent his country.

“Being selected for the team, however, does not mean it’s time to relax.

“From now until September, Christopher will need to train hard to make sure that he is up to the world-class standard he needs to be at, to be able to compete against the best young plumbers in the world. We wish him luck in his final months of training.”

Mr Cracknell said: “Competing at this level will catapult their careers to a new level.”