BISHOP Auckland students achieved success when they took on their counterparts in a regional skills competition.

Motor vehicle level two students Sam Harvey and Josh Roberts and level two hairdressing student Emmy Russell, from Bishop Auckland College, took top honours in the North-East Inter-College Skills Awards.

Sam, of Spennymoor, and Josh, from Crook, both 18, had been paired against trainee mechanics from New College Durham and Hartlepool College in their heats, where they had to demonstrate their ability in the skills tests by removing and refitting suspension legs and removing and inspecting a front braking system.

Emmy, 19, also of Spennymoor, won the Best Hairdressing Award after a panel, including local hairdressers, judged she had produced the best ladies’ evening style with her model Shauni Lee, 18, of Hunwick.

She has also just secured an apprenticeship at Boutique Hair & Beauty, in Coxhoe, and is now working towards her level three qualification.

Natalie Davison, principal and chief executive, said: “Sam, Josh and Emmy all had to take part in a series of difficult heats against students from colleges across the North East where the skills they have developed with us were put to the test.

“They should be very proud they were judged to be the best in the region.”