A YOUNG Irish tailor, who is learning his trade on London's Saville Row, has beaten off stiff competition, including Prince Charles' tailor, to win the prestigious 'Golden Shears' award.

Rory Duffy has become the first Irish person ever to win the exclusive competition for young tailors that is judged by London's top fashion designers.

The 25-year old's design comprised a frock coat and kilt in navy and cream windowpane check.

Duffy who is originally from Threemilehouse, Co Monaghan, began his career as a trainee apprentice with Joseph Martin in Sligo.

He then undertook a one-year diploma in handcraft tailoring at the London College of Fashion. He completed his work experience at the Saville Row tailor Henry Poole & Co, before joining it as a apprentice in July 2006.

While the 'Golden Shears' award is not well known in Ireland, a good measure of Duffy's success is the fact that Portuguese tailor Ayres Ferreira, who is currently making a double-breasted navy suit for Princes Charles, was one of the finalists Duffy beat to win the award and a £2,000 cheque.