Dover student Michael Chalmers is officially the country’s best painter after winning the UK title and a gold medal at the Skillbuild UK competition.

Michael, 21, who was trained at K College, has already won top titles in other painting competitions this year, but the Skillbuild UK competition is the pinnacle for every tradesman.

The competition took place at the Leeds College of Building and Michael, who lives in Elvington and works for JCL Decorating and Building Services, won £1,000 as well as tools for his decorating job.

Michael has completed his studies for an NVQ2 Diploma in decorative finishing and industrial painting occupations as an apprentice, and now works full time.

During the competition he had to paint to an assigned design and work to tight technical specifications, using different kinds of paints and tools, as well as stencils, within a set time frame.

“This time, it felt very straightforward,” he said. “I’ve been to other competitions where others couldn’t finish.

“I think this time it was a combination of learning from past mistakes and the fact that I’ve got used to competitions and know to go right from the whistle. I’m probably going to be very boring with my winnings, and invest in some new tools for work, or a van maybe.”

For full story see this week's Dover Mercury.