A TALENTED plumber has been crowned the best in the country after winning a national competition.

Martin Warnes, of Stour Close, Dovercourt, has won the Plumber of the Year 2019 accolade, bringing home £15,000 worth of prizes.

The 38-year-old came out on top from 400 contenders across the country who entered the competition, run by JT, Bristan and Wolseley UK.

His success was announced at the national heating and plumbing trade show, Installer Scotland, last Thursday.

Martin said: “I was massively surprised; it is still a big shock, especially coming from a small town, like Harwich.

“I didn’t for one minute expect to win, a lot of the guys in the final were good candidates, so it could’ve been any of us.

“Winning the competition has massively helped our business, it’s had a huge impact straight away.

“We’re in talks from customers outside our area as well.”

Martin has been a plumber since 2007, starting out as a local apprentice.

In 2009 he became self-employed, as the owner of M L Warnes Plumbing & Gas Services.

“It’s been a long ten years since I became a plumber and to get this award… feels worthwhile.

“The feedback from residents of the town and customers was amazing.

He added: “I’ve got many messages and phone calls congratulating me.

“I absolutely love what I do and to be recognised for it by such a fantastic competition really is just the icing on the cake.”

John Schofield, sales and marketing director at JT, said: “Congratulations to Martin on his well-deserved win.

“The standard of the competition was higher than ever this year, so he should be really proud of himself as all of the finalists were extremely impressive.”

A judging panel made up of experts shortlisted plumbers across the UK based on their skills, qualifications and experience.

In the final stage, which involved a 30-minute interview with the judging panel at Bristan HQ in Tamworth, Martin managed to impress the judges with his excellent qualifications and the organic growth of his customer-centric business.

He has expanded his business fantastically with four other plumbers on the books, plus two kitchen fitters, three office staff and a kitchen designer.

Along with his title as UK Plumber of the Year for 2019, Martin also wins his share of the incredible prize pot.

This includes JT, Bristan and Wolseley products and vouchers and additional products from Proper Job Beer, Rothenberger, BigWipes, Vendigo Finance, Fortress Distribution and Chapter 8.

As well as a weekend away in Cornwall in a 5 star hotel.

The other finalists in the competition were: Paul Clark and Christopher Clare of Merseyside, Caine Curtis of Somerset and Dan Tempest of Yorkshire.