Servicemen may like to consider plumbing courses when they finish working in the Armed Forces.

Such qualifications were a perfect fit for one ex-Army man, who has recently made it into the finals of a national model search to star in Screwfix's next Geared Up workwear catalogue.

Speaking to the Swindon Advertiser, Kev Bird described how he was given various taster sessions when he completed his time in the armed forces, but it was the plumbing courses that suited him best.

He told the publication: "I enjoy the problem-solving element of the work and getting out and meeting customers is also something I really enjoy."

Fellow tradesmen may see Mr Bird in the Screwfix catalogue if he can beat off competition from nine other finalists.

Last week, a tradesman sold two-thirds of his PH Jones plumbing business to Centrica for