A BRADFORD apprentice has been named as the best in the country at a national awards ceremony held by a trade body.

Abigayle Johnson, from Bradford, was presented with the Apprentice/Trainee of the Year award at the 30th Premier Trophy Awards held by the Painting and Decorating Association.

The awards celebrate the highest achievers in the industry over the past 12 months.

Miss Johnson, 20, studies at Leeds College of Building and also works for Bradford Council, triumphed over 18 other apprentices from across the UK in a competition held by the PDA earlier this year.

After winning the competition, in which Miss Johnson put her skills to the test, she received £500 with of goods from Purdy and gifts from Crown Trade.

Miss Johnson has recently completed her Level 2 qualification in Painting and Decorating.

After winning the award, she said: “I’m overwhelmed to have been named the PDA’s Apprentice/Trainee of the Year.

“It’s a great achievement and something I’ll carry with me in my future career.”

She was presented with the award, sponsored by Crown Paints, the Construction Industry Training Board and Purdy, at a ceremony held at Plaisterers’ Hall in London earlier this month.

Neil Ogilvie, chief executive of the Painters and Decorators Association, said: “Testing their ability to set out, cut in, stencil and paint a given design, the seven-hour competition is no mean feat.

“I couldn’t be happier for Abigayle, she should be very proud of her achievements and that goes to the rest of the competitors too.”

Miss Johnson was presented with her award by Phil Warwick of CITB, Tom Pinchbeck from Purdy, Phil Burgess from the Association of Painting Craft Teachers in the UK, Sammy Davies, the national president of the PDA, Naiem Wafa of Crown Paints, and Andrew Davies from the APCT.

Megan Talbot, a student at Accrington and Rossendale College and an employee of Oliver Gladwin, took second prize, while Eleanor Cleave, from Bournemouth and Poole College, finished in third place.