Painter brushes away competition to win championship title

A PAINTER has been decorated with honours after proving he is the best in the region.

Darlington College student Ashley Watson has won the North-East Inter-college Championships with his skills as a painter.

The 18-year-old, of Northallerton, fought his way to the finals and took on another student in a challenging task that involved free-hand painting and stencil work.

The quality of his finished board, which featured emulsion, glaze-wipe and stencilling, saw him beat a contestant from New College Durham to first place.

His accuracy and artistic impression led to a convincing victory by a 10-point margin under the watchful eye of an independent adjudicator.

“I was really nervous but I love decorating and actually enjoyed the competition,” said Ashley, who is studying a Level 2 diploma in painting and decorating.

His tutor Alan Green added: “He did exceptionally well under a great deal of pressure and is already planning his future.”

Trades run in the family and Ashley’s brother Alex, 17, is also studying painting and decorating at Darlington College. Their father is a plasterer and the hope is, one day, to team up to become a property developing company.

For more information on opportunities at Darlington College log on to www.darlington.ac.uk.