Apprentices from across the UK battled it out in four regional heats at North Kent College, City of Glasgow College, South and City College Birmingham and Accrington and Rossendale College.

The highest senior and junior scorers from each heat were called on to showcase their skills once more at a grand final held at Doncaster College this month.

The overall winner will now be named at a glittering awards ceremony in July.

PDA chief executive Neil Ogilvie said: “The competition events are designed to challenge apprentices and test their precision, stamina and skill.

“With just six hours to transform a large blank board into a copy of a complex image, the competition has become a proving ground for young people embarking on a career in colour.

“Apprentices really value this experience, which is sponsored by Purdy Professional Painting Tools and supported by Dulux Trade and CITB.

“I’d like to thank the organisations that support this competition as without them, we would not be able to provide this valuable opportunity to people entering the industry.

“I’d also like to thank Andrew Davis of the Association of Painting Craft Teachers, who gives his time and expertise to join me in judging the work of the competitors at each regional heat as well as at the Grand Final.

“Congratulations to all the apprentices who took part this year – the standard of work was very high, and I look forward to congratulating the overall winners in person at the Premier Trophy Awards next month.”

The PDA is Britain’s largest trade body dedicated to the sector and represents painting and decorating businesses of all types from sole traders through to large-scale national contractors employing hundreds of operatives.