TWO Mitcheldean plumbing students are brushing up their skills – and muscles – for a national pipe-bending competition.

Charlie Haslam and Kyle Donnelly, on a Gloucestershire College Level 2 Plumbing course, have been selected for the regional HIPEX apprentice competition in Birmingham later this week.

Aged 16 and 17 respectively, they won an in-house competition at the GC Construction School at Mitcheldean by producing the best work which secured their place in the regional heat of the prestigious competition.

Charlie and Kyle, former pupils of Heywood and Lakers, have spent the last few weeks working on test pieces that take three hours to complete. On the actual day of the competition they will be given six hours to complete a copper pipe bending and soldering project.

All regional winners will be given an all expenses paid trip to the live final of the UK Apprentice Plumber of the Year Competition at Newbury Racecourse in April.

Regional finalists will receive a special cut-glass trophy, a range of other tools and gifts donated by various manufacturers and top quality clothing. The overall winner will be awarded the Apprentice Plumber of the Year title.

They will also receive £1,000 worth of trade vouchers, and the winner's college will be awarded £500 worth of vouchers. Each competitor will take away with them over £80 worth of tools.

Curriculum leader at Mitcheldean, John Maloney, said: "It is so valuable for students to take part in competitions like this as they get to speak to other apprentices and can compare skills and share knowledge.

"It is also highly valuable for the students to work under scrutiny and pressure as it imitates a real-life working environment. Good luck lads."