Bricklaying tools were the focus of a recent contest aimed at finding the best young apprentice in the Australian industry.

According to the Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation (ABBTF), 13 people gave it their all at the event, which took place during the WorldSkills 2010 convention, Infolink reports.

Over three days, the entrants completed various complex projects, including the Top Gun speed bricklaying challenge.

"The boys were really working up a sweat, however they never let the quality of their work slide," explained general manager of the organisation Geoff Noble.

He said winner Lester Tibbles won due to the skill and efficiency with which he wielded his brick trowels, describing him as a "highly skilled young man".

Meanwhile, over in the UK, interest in upping bricklayers' tools is likely to be piqued by news of a new project in the north-west.

Work has restarted at Rawtenstall shopping centre after administrators completed a deal, the Lancashire Telegraph reports.

Posted by Ryan Gilbert