Steven picked up his award at a prestigious award ceremony held at Crewe Hall after completing a gruelling six-and-a-half hours' painting and decorating.

The final took place at Stoke-on-Trent college with the students – six males and three females – tackling elements of wallpapering, stencilling, waterborne glosses, along with some special effects work.

Steven's win netted him a £1,000 cash prize, as well as a host of fantastic products to set him up in the industry, while Angus College won a Graco airless spray machine, a plasma TV donated by Oakey and a Packexe dispenser and film.

Steven, who attends Angus College part-time and works for Angus Dec, commented: "What spurred me on in the final was that I was named joint winner of the regional Angus heat and I felt I had more to prove, so I put all of my efforts into demonstrating to myself that I was worthy of a place in the final."

As well as the £1,000 cash prize, Steven was also awarded £500 worth of Dulux Decorator Centre Vouchers, 100,000 nectar points, a free uniform to the value of £350, a £250 Red Letter Day experience voucher and free access to Dulux Trade professional training courses.