AN EAST Lancashire apprentice has been been named in the UK’s top 10 and praised in the House of Commons.

Nathan Brooks, 19, was put forward by employers Twin Valley Homes for the YouthBuild UK award, after being honoured by Rawtenstall’s Construction Development Alliance.

The ceremony was held at the House of Commons and Nathan was highly commended as one of the top ten apprentices in his age group in the UK.

It comes after a host of local awards for Nathan who was named Most Outstanding Gas Apprentice at Blackburn College’s Construction Awards after he was selected as Construction Development Alliance Apprentice of the Year in Lancashire at St Mary’s Chambers in Rawtenstall.

Nathan said: “It was a great experience going to the House of Commons.

“We got a tour and also got to have lunch overlooking the Thames which was superb.” Former St Bede’s student Nathan is following in his family’s footsteps as his uncle owns JP Plumbing and Gas in Blackburn.

“I never knew what I wanted to do after I left school so I just took this route.

“Twin Valley Homes have been really good with me and I love working for them.

“I check and install gas appliances for them and really enjoy it.”

Alison Clews, Skills and Enterprise Co-ordinator at Twin Valley Homes, said: “It’s been an outstanding personal journey for Nathan and he has achieved a lot in his work.

“We have 50 apprentices at Twin Valley Homes and Nathan is a great ambassador for the apprentice scheme.

“More than 30 construction students were presented with trophies, certificates and a gift at Blackburn College’s awards for their outstanding achievements in seven construction related subject areas including brickwork, gas, electrical, plumbing and interior design.”

Each gift was donated by sponsors Jewson, Best Electrical, Bryan Lee Building Contractors, Electric Centre, Eric Wright Construction, Howarth Timber and Building Supplies, James Gibson Ironmongers, Pearson Fraser and Twin Valley Homes.