A STUDENT with an eye for design has landed a work placement with Ena Shaw after her contemporary lounge was chosen by judges in a home interiors competition.

The store joined forces with St Helens College last year to find talented young designers who could create an inspiring living space.

The company wanted the students to design a modern lounge to showcase its latest products.

The competition saw students draw up their initial designs, source costs for products and materials and present their final recommendations to the team at Ena Shaw Home.

Carol Hattesley, 18, from Newtown was the overall winner.

Carol, who is studying for an extended diploma in art and design, created a 3D model and mood boards of a living room.

Keith Barlow retail director at Ena Shaw Home said: “We launched this competition with St Helens College to tap into local up and coming talent within the interior design industry. We wanted to get a fresh take on creating room sets for our store while helping the students gain experience of working to a commercial brief.

“We were extremely impressed by all entries but we loved Carol’s designs and felt she was a clear winner.”

Carol has secured a one week work placement. She will be given the opportunity to see how the company is run day-to-day from product sourcing to sales and interior design.

She said: “It’s given me invaluable experience of working to a brief for a real business.I'm looking forward to getting stuck in during my placement and seeing how design is used through Ena Shaw.”

Paul Hatton head of computing and creative studies at St Helens College said: “This competition has allowed them to put what they’ve learned in the classroom into action as well as giving them an idea of what it’s like to work to a strict deadline and budget.”