A NATIONAL designer and TV star has teamed up with Dumfries House to help Cumnock residents build a career in fashion.

Patrick Grant is leading ‘The Future of Textiles’ programme to train local children and adults who want to break into the fashion world.

He became an on screen celebrity in 2005 when he started judging a popular BBC TV series, The Great British Sewing Bee, while working as creative director of bespoke tailors Norton & Sons of Savile Row .

The award-winning designer is now sharing his knowledge to help Cumnock improve their sewing and creative ideas so they are prepared to work in textiles.

He will join Campbell’s of Beauly director John as co-chair of The Prince’s Foundation’s Future Textiles steering group.

They will combine their knowledge and expertise to ensure expert training in traditional skills such as sewing, weaving and cutting to local school children and adults looking to gain employment in the industry.

It comes after luxury goods group Louis Vuitton sponsored the refurbishment of an unused sawmill on Dumfries House estate to transform it into a fashion and textiles school.

Patrick Grant said: “The manufacture of clothing and textiles has a sustainable future in the UK, but the future of manufacturing will look very different from the past.

“We will need employees with higher skills levels and greater flexibility than ever before, employees willing to learn throughout their career and we need new solutions to bridge a skills gap created by decades of under investment in training. The Future Textiles programme run by The Prince’s Foundation at Dumfries House is inspiring a new generation and providing a much needed link to industry and I could not be more delighted to be co-chairing this forward-looking organisation.”