Michael Goulding, 21, a mason with S&J Whitehead of Oldham and a student of York College, will be representing the UK at the next World Skills competition (what used to be called the Skill Olympics).

The next international World Skills competition, which pitches youngsters from various trades and skills against each other, takes place in Seoul, South Korea, 13-16 September next year.

In the build-up to the competition, Goulding will come under the expert tutelage of Richard Golland, the UK technical expert for stonemasonry, who will produce a training schedule and help Goulding develop the skills he will need in Seoul.

Golland, who was once apprenticed with G V Williams and taught at Bath college for 27 years, 12 of them running the stonemasonry course, now helps organise the local Intercities competitions and national Skillbuild contest that form the selection process for the team which represents the UK at World Skills.