Ex-IT boss is sitting pretty after award

A FORMER IT manager who quit his £50,000 job with RBS to take up woodwork has scooped a prestigious furniture makers' award.

Alasdair Easton, who lives in the Capital, won the Scottish Furniture Makers' Association Student Award for a dark oak chair with sycamore pinstripe through the arms and legs.

He designed the chair in his first term at the Chippendale International School of Furniture near Gifford, East Lothian.

As well as a cash prize, Mr Easton wins the right to exhibit the chair at the SFMA's New Scottish Furniture Show in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

He said: "The Chippendale course really has been fantastic. The support and encouragement from everyone at the school, including pupils and lecturers, was overwhelming.

"I realise I am never going to be rich doing what I am doing now, but I feel so much more alive and just know it was the right move for me."