Tom Adams, an apprentice designer with Eastfield-based tube bending machine company Unison, has become the nation's highest scoring finalist in the WorldSkills Engineering CADD Competition.

Mr Adams, together with four other finalists, now goes forward to the national final due to take place in London.

The winner will represent the UK in the 41st international World Skills Competition, which is also being held in London, in October 2011.

Unison's managing director Alan Pickering said: "Tom has worked for Unison for more than two years now in a variety of design roles.

"We are extremely pleased he has made the national final for the WorldSkills 2011 competition, especially with the highest score of any entrant, and wish him every success."

The northern heat of the WorldSkills Engineering CADD Competition was organised by TDR Training and held at the offices of Northern Defence Industries Ltd in Newcastle, of which Unison is a member.

There were 10 competitors, who were judged on their skills in using CAD systems to produce 2D technical drawings, 3D models and 3D assemblies.

Higher-level competitors were also required to produce animations, including GDT (Geometrical Dimensioning and Tolerancing) in technical drawings.

Robin Fox, managing director of Northern Defence Industries, said: "We were delighted to host the regional final in the north east and the skill shown by all those taking part was of the highest order. It is little surprise to us that Tom did so well, as Unison is a top-quality company which we are delighted to have as a member of NDI."

In 2011, when the UK will host the WorldSkills competition, more than 1,000 competitors from 50 countries are expected to take part in the four-day event.