A CRAFTSMAN from the North-East is sharpening his skills in preparation for the national final of a stonemasonry competition.

Gary Holliday, 20, from Consett, County Durham, is competing against other workers at the National Skillbuild competition in Scotland next month.

He was recommended by tutors from York College, where he studies for an NVQ on block release in stonemasonry.

Mr Holliday, a former pupil of St Bede's Comprehensive School, said: "I am over the moon and hopefully I will do well in it.

"I really enjoy doing stonemasonry and think I always will. This is definitely what I want to do for the rest of my life.

"It is about patience because it takes along time to do. There is a lot of hand-eye co-ordination.

"I am going to spend the next few weeks practising for the competition."

Mr Holliday works for Consett-based JLD Stone at a yard in Tow Law, County Durham.

The owner, and Mr Holliday's uncle, Thomas Bushby, 37, said: "I am delighted for him as it will be a great experience for him to compete with people from all over the country.

"He is very good at what he does and works very hard. His work is very skilful and he is talented."

If Mr Holliday wins the competition, he will be flying out the Japan next year to take part in an international version of the contest.