A COUNTY carpenter has shown off his skills by competing in the national final of a cabinet making competition.

Gareth Hunt, aged 20, from Fladbury, near Pershore, entered the Skill Build competition despite having only a year’s experience as a carpenter and was shocked when he won his regional qualifier to reach the final.

“I only entered the regional qualifier to gain some experience and I was very surprised when I found out I had got into the final,” he said.

About 80 people entered the competition from across the country and Mr Hunt was one of five who made it to a three-day final at Leeds College of Building.

In the final the competitors had to build a cabinet from scratch over a period of 19 hours. Despite a difficult start, Mr Hunt recovered well and finish fourth, only one point behind third place.

“All of the other lads competing have had three or more years’ experience while I have just started my second year at college,” he said.

Mr Hunt was representing Gloucestershire College, where he does a course in fine furniture making and restoration. He was also representing his current employer, Paul Davey Cabinet Makers, Church Lench, near Pershore, where he is working as an apprentice.