A York College stonemasonry apprentice has won a medal for his work.

Thomas Soare, 29, who works for Matthias Garn Master Mason in Bugthorpe, has been awarded a City & Guilds Medal of Excellence in recognition of his outstanding performance on the Level 3 Construction diploma at York College.

City & Guilds, the UK’s leading vocational education organisation, has awarded the coveted medals every year since 1879.

The Medals for Excellence programme rewards people who have displayed exceptional talents as students or educational professionals, and whose portfolio and achievements put them a cut above the rest.

Thomas will officially be awarded his medal by the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace this month.

Paul Hill, stonemasonry tutor at York College, said: “Thomas has deservedly won this mark of special distinction. Currently, Thomas is taking a sabbatical to enhance his traditional skills further by winning a fellowship to Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).

“He is an inspiration to others and demonstrates that getting the right skills can be the passport to fulfilling his true potential and, more importantly, his dreams.”