FOR the first time since its inception a Welshman has won the title Floorfitting Fitter of the Year.

The 2001 title was won by Blackwood man Tim Nicholas who owns Ystrad Mynach-based Tim Nicholas Carpets.

Mr Nicholas, 37, (pictured) who supplies and fits floor coverings to the domestic and contract market across the UK from his Duffryn Industrial Estate base, was awarded the title in the Royal Hall, Harrogate.

To win the title of overall champion, a gold medal, a crystal trophy and £1,000 at the two-day event Mr Nicholas, who has 20 years experience of the floor covering business, had to complete four fitting tasks using with carpet, vinyl, laminate and natural floor covering.

He said: "They were all four hour platforms. I was fitting for 16 hours over the two days." Mr Nicholas said the nature of the work was technical rather than just confined to the sheer physical size of the area worked.

He said: "There was different shape stairs and border work and there were awkward shapes for the laminate. The exercises were made to test skill."

Mr Nicholas beat more than 100 other floor covering fitters in the competition organised by the National Institute of carpet and floorlayers.