A FORMER roofer who left the trade after being injured has become one of the country’s best young leadworkers.

Standlake resident Kevin Bennett was named runner-up in the Young Leadworker of the Year Award.

The 27-year-old said he still cannot believe he came so close to snatching the top prize after only working 18 months as a leadworker.

The father-of-one said: “It’s a bit of a shock, I’m incredibly happy by the result.”

Mr Bennett previously worked as a roofer after getting an NVQ in tiling and slating in 2004.

In 2008, a site accident significantly impaired his ability to work.

He said: “I was working on a site in Abingdon, manning the pulley that we transported the tiles in to the roof.

“It came lose and one hit me on the back of my head.”

Although he continued to work as a roofer for another four years, the accident caused spinal vertebrae compression, which was diagnosed in 2012.

As a result, he was told that he should never work as a roofer again.

He said: “My son had just been born, and that was a real wake-up call that I had to get my life on track.

“I remember working on the roof of Park Place in Berkshire, where St Trinian’s was filmed.

“There were leadworkers up there and I was amazed by the intricate designs and the amazing things they could do with the metal.”

He decided to enrol in a leadworking course with City and Guilds in Tunbridge Wells.

Lead work is when tradesman use the metal to create pipes and cover areas of roofs, such as a gable.

Mr Bennett travelled from Oxfordshire to Tunbridge Wells to complete the 52-day course and since then has been working with architects on projects such as the renovation of Pusey House in Oxford.

He decided to enter a national competition, never dreaming he would reach the final three.

On Friday, May 15, he was recognised for his proficiency in his new-found trade at an awards ceremony.

Although he did not win the £3,500 first prize, Mr Bennett hopes the exposure will help him build his newly founded Witney-based business, K&M Leadwork.

His partner 25-year-old Chelsey Hoeblyn, said: “We’re really proud of him, he’s really found his niche.”

Mr Bennett has a three-year-old son called Marley and hopes that one day he will take up the family trade.