A TALENTED landscape gardener from Winsford is preparing to embark on a life-changing experience when he flies out to Brazil to represent Great Britain for an international competition.

Former Reaseheath College student Matt Beesley, 21, will represent Great Britain in the WorldSkills finals in Sao Paulo, Brazil, which runs from August 11-16.

Matt, who completed his Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture at Reaseheath College in 2012, flies out with the squad on Friday, August 7 in time to contest the global, Olympics style final.

WorldSkills runs the competition bi-annually for students aged 23 and under to showcase the skills and value of young professionals in industries ranging from construction, engineering technology and transportation to IT, communications and social and personal services.

A total of 36 trades will be represented by 41 Great Britain competitors.

“Competing and training on the WorldSkills programme has been a fantastic experience for me,” Matt said.

“I have learned so much and gained such a lot of confidence.”

Matt first competed in the British selection rounds for WorldSkills while studying at Reaseheath College, and has continued to train intensively as a potential squad member, narrowly missing selection for the world finals in Germany in 2013.

He also runs his own successful business, Beesley’s Landscapes in Winsford, and employs two apprentices.

The former Hartford High School pupil said: “I’d particularly like to thank my hard landscape instructor at Reaseheath, Jason Hinks, for his support.

“I’m now totally focused on the world finals. It would be awesome to bring back a medal.”

Landscape gardening is one of the few competitions requiring two team members, and Matt will compete in partnership with Jonathan Gill from Northern Ireland.

They will be expected to test their skills and stamina in hard landscaping, plant knowledge and management against the world’s best.

Jason said: “I’m really proud of Matt and how he’s developed as a professional landscaper through WorldSkills.

“This programme is all about benefitting the students through training and helping them to realise their potential.”