An 18 year-old Old Colwyn game developer came agonisingly close to claiming a gold medal at the 3D Modelling and Animation for Computer Games recently.

Coleg Llandrillo student Lauren Clayton took home silver after competing in hotly contested four -our grand final against eight of the best young game developers in Wales who had battled their way through heats to the skills competition national final.

Lauren, who studies 3D Modelling and Animation at Colleg Llandrillo. said: “I was delighted to come second out of the all the best games development students in Wales. All the other finalists were degree-level students, which makes my result even more pleasing."

Another Colleg Llandrillo student, 20 year-old Aaron Wilson (Old Colwyn), also competed in the final finishing as a runner up.

The finalists had to create a 3D representation of a ‘relic’ - an item that had to have immense power that a video game character could hold or wear.

The hotly-fought grand final comprised eight young games designers who had battled their way through the heats to reach the national final, which was held at Coleg Sir Gar in south Wales.

At college, I am currently getting my portfolio ready for when I go to university, and this result will take pride of place in it.” Another student from Coleg Llandrillo made the final - Aaron Wilson, 20, from Old Colwyn – who was named as one of the runners-up.

Lauren won various prizes from industry representatives, who were also judges, as well as an impressive crystal trophy.

Colleg Llandrillo Computing & Media Technology programme manager, David Owen, said: “I would like to congratulate Lauren on her success in the national 3D games modelling competition.?

Skills Competition Wales offers students, trainees and apprentices in Wales a chance to challenge, benchmark and raise their skills by taking part in competitions across a range of sectors.”

Skills Competition Wales consists of around 30 skills competitions, funded by the Welsh Government and run by a dedicated network of colleges, work-based learning providers and employer-led organisations.

Skills Competition Wales forms part of the Welsh Government’s Growth and Sustainable Jobs programme, and aims to raise the profile of skills in Wales.