A TOOL company has launched a competition to find the best trade apprentices in South Oxfordshire to compete in a national competition.

Screwfix, which has stores in Abingdon and Didcot, has opened entries for the competition, with prizes worth £10,000 on offer.

The most impressive trade apprentices from the region will be selected to attend a final at the Google headquarters in London.

Here, one person will be named top trade apprentice 2018 and will receive a business start up pack including a laptop with accessories, £5,000 of products and funds for future training and courses.

Graham Bell, Screwfix CEO, said: “We truly believe that we, along with the rest of the industry, have a duty to support the next generation of tradespeople.

"Therefore, it’s important we play our part in encouraging and inspiring those who have chosen to undertake an apprenticeship.

"The Screwfix Trade Apprentice Award is one of the many ways we are highlighting the importance of apprenticeships and supporting those who are starting out in a career in the trade.”

Go to www.screwfix.com/sfta to complete an application form.

Entries are open until March 4.