A DEESIDE apprentice finished runner up in a national skills competition.

Rhys Stout, from Connah's Quay, is an apprentice at Steel 4 Structures Ltd - based in Buckley.

The 19-year-old entered into the Construction Metal Work category in the Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales competitions.

The aim was to test Welsh entrants' skills in fabrication and welding and the competition was open to students from all Welsh colleges.

Rhys, a student at Coleg Cambria, excelled and placed second in Wales - fighting off stiff competition from around 50 other apprentices. 

Shaun Bebbington, Steel 4 Structures business development manager, said: "Achieving second place in the whole of Wales in the Construction Metal competition is a huge achievement.

"We are very proud of Rhys and his success. We are honoured to have such a skilled apprentice in our team.

"Thank you Coleg Cambria and Inspiring Skills Wales for enabling apprentices to showcase their skills."