President Nikolas Sarkozy will present title to Oliver Watson who trained in France

A Manchester plumber is to be honoured by president Nikolas Sarkozy as the best plumber in France.

Oliver Watson will travel to a formal presentation dinner in September to receive the award.

Watson, who has a French mother and dual citizenship, learnt his trade in France.

He beat thousands of French plumbers in a competition to find the best apprentice in France. Watson beat off competition at local and regional levels before sending off his work to Paris for judging in the grand final.

He was known only by his competition number, so neither the judges, nor the president of France, knew of his English background.