A FURNITURE design student has won £1,000 worth of woodworking tools for himself and his college after taking second prize in an award.

Ken Mair, who is in his second year of an HND course in Furniture Design at Rycotewood College, Thame, won second prize in the Furniture Design Awards at the recent International Woodworking Exhibition at Alexandra Palace, London.

He won his award for designing and building a dining room chair, pictured left, made from aeroply, man-made veneers and sycamore.

The prize of woodworking tools was provided by DeWalt, which sponsored the awards.

Judge Martin Grierson said: "Ken was successful because of the manner in which he used the contemporary materials at his disposal and the way in which he combined them in such a technically skilful way."

Ken plans to set up his own business when he graduates.