PRESTON College scored a hat-trick at the Young Decorator of the Year Competition when students won first, second and fourth places.

The three took time out from studies and their work to enter the Northern heats of the contest, organised by the Painting Craft Teacher's Association in Leeds.

After the five hour test, Kevin Curry, 19, won first place and will compete for the national title in the finals later this year. Paul Cartmell , 18, took second place and fourth was Graham Longton, 19.

Paul Cartmell, from Leyland, is doing his NVQ on day release from his job with Steve Smith Decorators.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.