A STUDENT from Gourock has been named one of the most promising young engineers in the country.

Michael Sinclair, who studies at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has been revealed as the winner of a prestigious Hammermen Award.

Michael, who is undertaking a graduate apprenticeship programme at UWS, was delighted to be chosen for the coveted prize, which is presented to engineering students and apprentices.

Michael, who works as a production planner at the Ferguson Marine Engineering shipyard in Port Glasgow, was presented with a certificate and £200 of prize money.

He was presented with his prizes during a ceremony at the Trades Hall of Glasgow on April 17.

Michael said: "It's a great honour to be recognised for my university studies and the work I carry out in the marine engineering field.

"It shows my company and the rest of the engineering industry just how good this course is.”

Michael is in his second year of the graduate apprenticeship at the uni's Hamilton Campus.

Once he completes the coyrse he will have an honours degree in engineering design and manufacture.

The university works with national training agency Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to deliver graduate apprenticeship programmes.

The courses have been specially developed in response to demand from industry and offer a chance for apprentices to work with leading employers whilst studying for a higher education qualification at the same time.