RUTH Southall has designs on a career in interior designing.

And now the 22-years-old from Kidderminster, has beaten competition from hundreds of people for a place on a ground-breaking interior design training programme.

Her success was revealed at Grand Designs Live 2014 at the NEC when Miss Southall was announced as one of 13 young people from across the UK who have become part of the

Homebase Design and Decorating Academy – a scheme designed to help kick start careers in interior design.

She will work full-time within the Worcester Blackpole Homebase store design hub where she will share her passion for interior design with customers looking to decorate and redesign the look and feel of rooms in their home.

The Academy will see Miss Southall developing her decorating skills by learning all of the tricks of the trade from industry experts, including famous Homebase suppliers such as Dulux, Harris and Graham & Brown. She will also receive City & Guilds training to ensure she builds-up practical experience as well as having up-to-the minute knowledge about all of the latest trends to pass on to customers.

John Shaw, Homebase HR Director said: “As one of the UK’s leading home enhancement retailers, we are committed to championing our industry as a great career choice, and we’re delighted to be able to offer young people such a significant boost on the career ladder. We received a fantastic response when we announced we were looking to start a Design & Decorating Academy and we are excited to welcome Ruth on what is set to be a great start to her career.”

The Homebase Design & Decorating Academy follows on from the success of the Homebase Garden Academy, which is now in its second year.