FORMER Holsworthy College student Jack Barker has been named National Apprentice Plumber of the Year. Jack, who is 20 and lives in Buckland Filleigh, was the South West finalist, representing Petroc College in the competition, which was organised by Heating Installers and Plumbers (HIP! Magazine) UK as a way of supporting young apprentices entering the trade. Competing against six other finalists, Jack was tasked against the clock with installing a boiler rig, pipework, radiators and an ADEY magnetic filter. ADEY chief executive and competition judge Chris Adey said: "Each of the apprentices did a fantastic job under great pressure. Deciding the winner was really difficult but Jack just had the edge." For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.