ALTON College student Cameron Copland has won a design and technology award for a chair, beautifully crafted during classes in the college’s state-of-the-art Sonardyne Centre.

Former college tutor David Forrest, who now owns FB Design – a bespoke furniture and cabinet-making company based in Herriard – sponsors the award for the best A-Level design and technology project.

Mr Forrest said he wanted to reward excellence in the discipline and the £250 prize was awarded for quality of design and attention to detail in the practical work.

Presenting the award, Mr Forrest said he chose Cameron’s chair from the array of “brilliant” pieces produced by this year’s students because “it is tricky making a metal-based product as metal warps when warmed so the consistency of the structure is difficult to maintain".

"Cameron has managed a concise and crisp finish on his chair and paid particular attention to the detail of the finish, which I applaud him for,” said Mr Forrest.

And he added: “Some of the products were unfinished, so I am even more impressed with Cameron for finishing the project within the allotted time constraints, and for doing so with such accuracy and attention to detail.”

Former Lord Wandsworth College pupil Cameron, who is going on to study industrial design and technology (product design) at Loughborough University in Leicestershire, said: “From start to finish this was a big project to get my head round and was a steep learning curve.

“Working with metal is difficult as there are all sorts of processes involved so I had set myself up with quite a challenge. It wasn’t an easy project and I faced lots of problems along the way which I overcame with a lot of trial and error but it was a fantastic learning experience.

“There was a really competitive vibe among the students so I was very apprehensive and it was definitely a surprise to learn that I had won."

Cameron added: “I am really pleased with winning as it gives me the recognition and confidence I needed ahead of going to university. “Going to university is a big step and the award has helped to allay any doubts about whether I am ready to go.”