Super bricklayer Nigel Goodwin's solid claim to best brickie has come crashing down as he tried for a hat-trick of titles in the Bricklayer of the Year contest.

Nigel, of Rawcliffe Drive, York, has held the title for two years running, but this time he was squarely beaten by a rival from out of town.

He came second to Brian McCaffery, of Hartlepool, in Saturday's event in St Sampson's Square, York. Nigel was competing against 14 other bricklayers from the region to win the coveted silver trowel award.

He was hoping to cement a hat-trick by impressing the team of expert judges with his small feature wall - which competitors had to construct in 60 minutes.

Nigel, who has been bricklaying since he was 17, was philosophical in defeat. He said: "I enjoyed it and did my best but at the end of the day I was beaten by a better man and all credit to him."

Stephen Jenneson, one of the judges, said: "The quality was of an excellent standard and it was a very close thing."

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