A Coleg Menai student has started his own blacksmith business after discovering his passion at college.

Dai Ifor Evans-Jones, from Beaumaris, developed his love for metalwork while studying Welding and Fabrication at the Llangefni campus.

He and fellow students Cai Roberts and Harry Vanmaele, under the guidance of blacksmith Spike Blackhurst, created a dragon that has been displayed by Beaumaris Town Council near the town's castle.

Mr Evans-Jones is now studying Level 3 Engineering at Llangefni to further enhance his skills and boost his business.

Since enrolling at college to re-sit his GCSEs, he has found his path, grown in confidence, and accessed financial assistance to set up his venture.

He approached Shoned Owen, enterprise officer for Coleg Menai and Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, who helped him apply for a grant from Môn CF.

He received £2,000 towards equipment, which enabled him to buy an air-fed mask, a laser engraver and cutter, and a computer.

Coleg Menai students Harry Vanmaele (left) and Dai Ifor Evans-Jones working on a steel dragon (Image: Supplied) Mr Evans-Jones said: "That was a big help.

"She also showed me how to do invoices and things like that."

Speaking about his business, he said: "I’ve recently done a fence and a gate, and sold a couple of fire pokers to friends, and I’ve got lots of orders still to do."

His journey began in 2020 when he enrolled on Level 1 Vehicle Maintenance and took an evening class in GCSE Biology, achieving an A*.

The following year, he progressed to Level 2 Vehicle Maintenance and took more GCSEs, passing English with an A and Welsh with a C.

Mr Evans-Jones said: "The tutors were so kind and treated me with lots of respect.

"That boosted my confidence and that’s how I got my results."

During his time on the course, he also took an evening class in welding, which ultimately led to him discovering his vocation as a blacksmith.

A steel dragon created by Coleg Menai students Dai Ifor Evans-Jones, Cai Roberts and Harry Vanmaele on display in Beaumaris (Image: Supplied) He said: "I was doing a welding night class, and I just clicked with it.

"I fell in love with welding and metalwork.

"I’m getting business through word of mouth at the moment, although a friend is helping me set up a website.

"Hopefully once I’ve got the website up and running I’ll start getting orders from further afield."