THE search is on for the best building apprentices in the North West as part of the Master Builder of the Year Awards 2004.

Householders in East Lancashire have been asked to nominate an apprentice who has worked for them and the customer who nominates the overall winner will receive a £3,000 holiday of their choice.

Howard Locke, regional director for the Federation of Master Builders, said: "The Master Builder of the Year Awards are unique in that entries across the five categories are nominated solely by customers delighted with the service and quality of work that their builder and apprentice provided.

"We want to reward those companies that encourage apprentices to enter the industry and offer them excellent training and career development opportunities.

"There is a real shortage of new talent coming into the industry and, by highlighting the achievements of North West apprentices, we want to demonstrate that construction offers a wide variety of excellent and rewarding career options. "

The North West winner will go forward to the national awards, to be announced on April 27, 2004. The national winner will receive a commercial vehicle of their choice from Nissan and the customer who nominates the winning entry will win a £3,000 holiday.

If you are an apprentice, someone who runs a building firm or even a customer who has had great work done, find more details by calling 08000 152522. The closing date for entries is December 31.