A TEENAGER from Radcliffe is celebrating success after winning gold at a national apprenticeship awards ceremony.

Cameron Barker, 19, who works at Gardenform in Bury, won a gold medal in the landscaping category at the WorldSkillsUK finals awards last week.

It is a proud moment for the landscaper, who splits his time between working for the company and studying an apprenticeship at Myerscough College on an Association of Professional Landscapers Apprentice scheme, and for husband-and-wife management team Jo-anne and Steven Foxcroft, who have watched Cameron develop since being with the company.

Mrs Foxcroft said: “We’re very proud of him, we’re over the moon for both him and the business. He’s done it for himself first and foremost, but we’ve helped him along the way and given him guidance and I hope we’ve taught him the skills to become a professional landscaper.

Cameron first came through regional qualifiers before taking part in the national awards earlier this month to receive his first place.

Mrs Foxcroft said: “He has always been dedicated to learning the professional skills to become a multi-talented member of our team.

“Both Steven and I are very proud of all his achievements and are overjoyed that he has been able to demonstrate his skills and win the WorldSkills Gold medal, a great achievement.

“As a company we pride ourselves in being able to impart our professional knowledge and expertise to ensure a bright future for our profession.”

The company has been designing and building award-winning gardens for over 36 years and has numerous RHS gold medals, alongside this WorldSkillsUK gold.

The WorldSkillls finals took place at an online ceremony that was hosted by Channel 4’s Steph McGovern in her Packed Lunch studio.

Deputy chief executive Ben Blackledge said: “These young people are showing the way, they are a true inspiration for their generation. I praise all those that have battled through the most arduous elements of the last couple of years.”