A CARPENTRY and joinery student, James Leighton, has represented Herefordshire College of Technology for a second time at the national finals of Skillbuild.

Skillbuild, the annual national competition for young people in the construction industry, awarded James fourth position, from an overall group of 12 competitors.

James, aged 20, from Bromyard, works for local employer Jonathan Backer and first qualified for the national finals as a first year HCT student in 2001, representing the college and the western region in Ballymena.

Taking third place at the 2002 regional competition, James continued to excel at his work and competed in the 2003 regional competition, achieving an incredible first place position and securing his entry to the 2003 national final.