A SOUTHAMPTON student could head to Brazil next summer after reaching the final of a national trade skills competition.

Mike McGurn, 22, from Lyndhurst, entered the southern heat of the SkillBuild 2014 competition and beat 15 other bricklayers to win first place.

He will now compete against the winners from 12 other British regions at the national final in Birmingham in November.

If he comes out on top at the national finals, he will be invited to compete in the WorldSkills grand final in Sao Paolo, Brazil, in August 2015.

Mike said: “I had heard of the competition but it wasn’t until my tutor Joe recommended I gave it a go that I entered. I didn’t think I stood a chance, but here I am!

“I’m proud to be involved and grateful to my firm A Fletcher & Sons for their support.”