Students at Park Lane College Keighley have their welding torches at the ready in preparation for a contest designed to test their technical ability.

They displayed their mastery of the trade in the college's welding and fabrication workshop off Dalton Lane last Thursday.

The students are gearing up for the regional final of the SkillWeld 2008 competition, taking place next month.

Open to contestants across the UK, the event is for welders aged 16 and above. It will test their interpretation of technical drawings and instructions, equipment, knowledge and understanding of health and safety issues, as well as welding skills.

Students who successfully meet the stringent test criteria will go on to the national final at Cambridge in April.

Welding and fabrication technician Simon Davison said: "Our students are already gearing up for the exciting regional final next month and we have some excellent students who we hope will do well.

"In the past, the department has had a great success rate, with students progressing on to the national final and then subsequently moving into impressive industry careers."

The top candidate chosen at the final of SkillWeld 2008 will represent the UK at the International World Skills Competition, in Canada, next year.