APPRENTICE tradesmen have proved they are among the best in the land after winning national awards.

Mark Singleton and Kyle Catterall, who work for the Together Housing Group, which owns Twin Valley Homes and Housing Pendle, won top accolades in their trades.

Plasterer Mark, from Nelson, was awarded the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers Student of the Year award in London.

The 26-year-old also recently scooped Accrington and Rossendale College Student of the Year and came fourth in the national finals of the Skillsbuild awards.

Meanwhile, Kyle, 22, from Blackburn, came fourth in the painting and decorating category of the awards.

Mark said: “To win the Plaisterers award was a huge honour and it is all down to the help I have had over the years. I was also very pleased to be well-placed in the Skillsbuild finals.

“I am delighted and I have a very solid career to fulfil.”

Kyle, who won the regional Skillsbuild finals to qualify for the national finals, said: “I have been lucky enough to win a few awards over the past couple of years.

“I have learned from some very skilled and fantastic people and I have a very bright future ahead of me.”

Twin Valley Homes was also awarded a place in the UK’s Top 100 apprenticeship employers at the National Apprenticeship awards in Birmingham.

Skills and enterprise co-ordinator Alison Clews said: “Mark and Kyle are both shining examples of what can be achieved with hard work and dedication.

“Both have grasped the opportunity given to them and have very promising careers.

“We are also immensely proud of the mentors, who have been guiding their apprentices, and this is as much a credit to their hard work and dedication.”