TWO apprentices from a Darlington plumbing firm have beaten their colleagues from across the region to receive trade awards.

Stuart Cameron, 18, and Brian Middleton, 23, of Darfield Heating Services, Lingfield Way, Darlington, beat more than 650 trainees from across the Tees Valley, to take the prices at the regional JTL awards for modern apprentices. They received £50 and a trophy.

Company director Andy Cameron said: "This is a really big achievement for them.