FASHION students from the region are hoping to buttonhole the honours in a national design competition.

Last year, Darlington College of Technology surprised the fashion world when student Emily Carter-Gibson won the final of the UK Skillsfast competition.

Students Sarah Wong, Katie MacRury, Holly Storer and Laura Kay will attempt to follow in her footsteps as they vie for the top place in the clothes industry awards.

Entries have been submitted for the regional judging, in Newcastle this week.

If they win through to the regional heat, they will go into the national final for the coveted title of UK Skillsfast Designer of the Year at the Clothes Show Live, to be held at the Birmingham NEC later this year.

College tutor Lynne Waterfall-Brown said: "The students have been working really hard on their creations and certainly stand a good chance of winning through to the final.

"Emily's achievement was absolutely fantastic last year as she beat competitors from more established fashion colleges showing it can be done and providing great encouragement to our students."