A 22-year-old farrier has encouraged more young people to consider a career in the skilled craft after being one of four Moreton Morrell College apprentices celebrated in a graduation ceremony.

Lewis Sutor, from Midsomer Norton, was presented with the David Llewellyn Prize by the Worshipful Company of Farriers and graduated with DipWCF after completing his apprenticeship.

The David Llewellyn Prize is awarded for the best written diploma paper and came after Lewis achieved 88 per cent in his spring exams.

The Worshipful Company of Farriers was founded in 1605 and is one of the livery companies of the City of London. The celebration ceremony began with a service at the Church of St Martin, followed by a procession to Apothecaries’ Hall where graduates were presented with their certificates.

A total of four apprentices from Moreton Morrell College, part of college group WCG (Warwickshire College Group), were presented with medals on the day.

Lewis completed his four-year apprenticeship with the college and approved training farrier Paul Horner. He has continued to work for Paul Horner since completing his apprenticeship, providing farrier services across the Somerset area.

He said: “I went to a farming school when I was younger and that was where I was introduced to work in the forge. We had horses at home, I enjoyed the forging and decided then that I wanted to be a farrier.

“I was so surprised to win the David Llewellyn Prize, I didn’t expect it at all. The ceremony was brilliant and it was great to see everyone to celebrate.

“The tutors at the college were really helpful during my time there and helped me gain the skills to start a career as a farrier.

“Farriery is a historic craft but the number of people coming into the profession has definitely slowed down, and there is a need to encourage more people to join the profession. I love being a farrier, you are working outside, building relationships with people in your local community and having the chance to work every day with horses.”

Tim James, farrier tutor at Moreton Morrell College, said: “The ceremony hosted by the Worshipful Company of Farriers is the culmination of four years of hard work for our students.

“We had four apprentices receive awards this year, with another two unable to attend who also received a Distinction in one of their modules.

“We are very proud of farriery apprenticeship course at Moreton Morrell College and the reputation the course has across the country. This was another very strong year of results for apprentices training with us."