Chris Berridge was on top of the world last night (9 October) when he was awarded a Gold Medal at WorldSkills London 2011.

At 22, the young stonemason from Crewkerne who works for Harveystone, has triumphed at the largest global skills competition there has ever been, winning the Gold Medal in stonemasonry.

Chris was part of Team UK. The team competed against 1,000 competitors from 52 countries in 46 disciplines and came fifth overall – their best ever position in the medals table – with four golds, two silvers, six bronze and 12 Medallions for Excellence. During the four days of the event 200,000 people visited, including 2,300 school, college and community groups with about 72% of visitors aged 14-18.

The medals were presented during an emotional closing ceremony at the O2 Arena, where, just like the Olympics, medal winners of each skill mounted a podium to receive their medal accompanied by thunderous cheers and applause from the audience.

After a gruelling four days, Chris said: “I can’t believe I got a gold medal. It’s an incredible feeling. It was a tough four days – it was a lot of hard work and took a lot of concentration but I did still enjoy it.

“To be recognised as one of the best young stonemasons in the world is great. I was really honoured just to be included in Team UK and get the chance to take part in the competition, but to come away with gold is incredible.

“I would like to thank my employers, Harvey Stone, and all the lecturers at City of Bath College for their support. They have taught me so much and given me the skills I need to do so well in the competition.

"It's an amazing feeling to be crowned the best in the world at stonemasonry. Standing on the podium receiving my medal in front of a packed venue at the 02 Arena is an experience I will never forget.

"This is what I’ve been training for all this time and I'm just so pleased I’ve been able to make my family, friends, training manager and all those who have supported me along the way, so proud.

"Just as importantly, I hope my success will inspire others to think about their career options and that I’ve managed to show everyone that there are options for them. I’d definitely say that a career in stonemasonry is very rewarding!”

Skills Minister John Hayes was there. He said: “These inspirational results are a tribute to the skill, imagination and purposeful pride of our young people. Team UK has shown that UK workers and businesses can take on the world and win – but I want many thousands more people in the UK to achieve excellence.

"The Government’s unprecedented commitment to practical learning, with the biggest apprenticeship programme ever, is putting skills back at the centre of national life, helping people build strong and successful careers, firms and communities."

Team UK is managed by the National Apprenticeship Service and was supported in its medal success by Edge, the independent education foundation, the premier supporter of Squad and Team UK, and Brathay Trust, the premier training and development partner of Squad and Team UK.

Chris studied for a Level 2 and 3 NVQ in Stonemasonry at City of Bath College. Matt Atkinson, City of Bath College Principal, said: “On behalf of everyone at City of Bath College, I would like to congratulate Chris on what is a truly remarkable achievement.

“It is an honour to know that City of Bath College has helped to train one of the best stonemasons in the world.”

Unusually, there were two Gold medals awarded in the stonemasonry competition. The other went to the French competitor, Michaël Esnault.

The UK contestant in the wall & floor tiling competition was Ian McMahon. He was not among the medal winners.