HE is already a dab hand with a paint brush and stencil and now Adam Robinson is set to fly the flag for the region as he takes part in a construction X Factor-style competition.

HE is already a dab hand with a paint brush and stencil and now Adam Robinson is set to fly the flag for the region as he takes part in a construction X Factor-style competition.

18-year-old student Adam, from Chedgrave, will showcase painting and decorating techniques when he competes in the Skillbuild finals in Scotland next week.

The Yarmouth College student will have to see off 11 rivals to win the accolade of being one the country's best young tradesmen by recreating a wall-size design against a tight deadline.

And while the teenager impresses the judges with his construction skills, he hopes it will boost his chance of becoming an apprentice.

Although Adam's tutor at Yarmouth College describes him as working to sky-high standards, he is having trouble finding a firm to take him on as an apprentice during the economic downturn.

Despite his job-hunting disappointment, Adam is determined to do well at Skillbuild and has

been practising and fine-tuning his skills on a blanked-out wall at the college.

He said: “Preparation is the key. Everything must be measured out perfectly and if all the measuring is done, you can't go far wrong.

“All the different techniques will be tested - cutting in, stencilling and wallpapering.”

The national Skillbuild finals will be held at South Lanarkshire College at East Kilbride from October 7-9.