A SOUTH Lakeland cabinet maker has been selected to represent the UK at a European vocational skills competition.

Angus Bruce-Gardener, an apprentice at Waters and Acland Furniture of Staveley, has been chosen for the UK's EuroSkills 2016 squad in Gothenburg, Sweden, from December 1-3.

EuroSkills 2016 will see talented young people from more than 30 European countries come together to compete in more than 35 different skill areas ranging from engineering and construction to beauty therapy and hospitality.

Mr Bruce-Gardener, 21, was selected after excelling in the national finals of the WorldSkills UK Competitions.

"Getting to this point has taken hard work and dedication," he said.

"Long hours and most weekends have been spent honing my skills in the workshop and I’m now looking forward to testing myself against the best young cabinet makers in the world.”

Mr Bruce-Gardener, of Kendal Green, Kendal, joined the education arm of Waters and Acland as one of the first intake of their furniture school.

After impressing in his first year there with his talent, he was taken on as an apprentice before expressing an interest in competing in cabinet making.

Oliver Waters, of Waters and Acland, believes his selection in the UK squad for EuroSkills 2016 demonstrates his true passion for cabinet making 'at the highest level'.

"Our workshop and furniture school motto is ‘perfection in the making’ and Angus has really taken this to heart, constantly striving to be the very best young cabinet maker in the world.

"It’s an honour for both Angus and our furniture school that he has been chosen to represent the UK in such a prestigious event. We of course wish him well and are totally committed to providing him with the very best training possible.”

Angus with other members of Team UK will now go on to complete an intensive training programme, supported by their trainers, employers and training providers.