A Saffron Walden teenager has earned the right to call himself ‘the best young bricklayer in East Anglia’ after winning a a prestigious competition.

Shaun Bartram, 18, of Rowntree Way, Saffron Walden, could now go through to the national finals of the Junior SkillBuild competition at the NEC in Birmingham this November.

The Cambridge Regional College student impressed judges with his precision and practical skills in the testing challenge to build a piece of decorative brickwork.

“I was very surprised but very pleased when I won,” said Shaun. “It was a very challenging competition and the judges were very strict on accuracy – points were deducted if you were a millimetre out.”

The teenager has just started an apprenticeship with Anglian Brickwork of Great Sampford – specialists in brickwork, blockwork and stonework.

Lecturer Neil Hesketh said the young bricklayer had performed “outstandingly”.

He said: “Shaun’s a very talented craftsmen and I’m absolutely delighted he has done so well.

“His win is fantastic and we’re hoping he will win his way through to the finals later this year.”

SkillBuild is the largest multi-trade competition in the country for construction trainees and apprentices, covering ten craft occupations.