A FORMER bricklayer from Stockton Heath has welcomed additional support to those starting off in trades following the introduction of a tax cut making it more appealing for employers to take on apprentices.

Former Warrington Collegiate student, Ashley Terron, aged 22, made his mark in the industry with a bricklaying apprenticeship before securing his assistant site manager role at construction firm Redrow.

From April, employers taking on apprentices under the age of 25 will not have to pay employer national insurance contributions up to the upper earnings limit following an announcement in the Government's autumn statement.

Ashley, who has a string of accolades under his belt, including the crown of the north west's 2014 Apprenticeship Champion, believes more help for apprentices is paramount for the country.

"Apprentices are key to long-term businesses growth and development and are a great opportunity for both the apprentice as well as the company which is hiring them," he said.

"They are key in for the future of trades across the country so plans to help them on their way are great.

"My experience being an apprentice was brilliant and without that I would not have been able to achieve what I have done so far."

Warrington South's Liberal Democrat candidate, Cllr Bob Barr, has welcomed the move and says it will boost job prospects for young people in Warrington.

He added: "Increasing the number of apprenticeships was a key aim of Liberal Democrats in Government.

"Since we formed the coalition in 2010, we have helped to create nearly two million apprenticeships but despite the success in increasing the number of apprentices, we want to go further.

"Our country needs a highly skilled workforce if we are to be competitive and increase our manufacturing sector.

"Liberal Democrats are building a stronger economy and a fairer society - increasing apprenticeship is one of the ways we will achieve that."