BRITAIN'S youngest blacksmiths have been nominated for a national children's award. 

Ollie and Harvey Roberts, from Borras, made national headlines after news broke that the cousins had started their own blacksmith business during the first Covid lockdown - despite being aged (at that time) 13 and 12 respectively. 

They were taught the trade by their grandfather, Tony Roberts, who worked at Brymbo Steelworks for 20 years. 

Now aged 15 and 14, the pair of Ysgol Rhosnesni High School pupils have been nominated for the prestigious Child of Wales award. 

The 2023 awards are taking place on Friday, March 24 at Mercure Holland House Hotel in Cardiff. 

After the success of the inaugural awards in March 2022, the awards celebrate the inspirational achievements of remarkable young people across Wales, while raising vital funds for charities in Wales dedicated to helping children: Ty Hafan & Hope House. 

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Since launching their blacksmith business, named O+H Metalwork, Ollie and Harvey have been supporting a host of charitable causes. 

They have made a variety of sculptures to raise money for charity, these include sculpting Ukraine's national flower in aid of the war appeal, Pakistan's national flower to support the flood relief effort and work to raise money for Nightingale House Hospice. 

They have also had work put on display at the British Ironwork Centre, and in Acton Park Lake. 

The Leader: Ollie and Harvey with their fish - made solely out of dessert spoons - which went on display in Acton Park Lake. Ollie and Harvey with their fish - made solely out of dessert spoons - which went on display in Acton Park Lake. (Image: Newsquest)

They were informed that they had been nominated for a Child in Wales award by Bootlegger - who paid a visit to their workshop in Borras. 

They were shortlisted after an anonymous member of the community nominated them. 

Ollie and Harvey said: "We can't believe that we have been nominated for such a big award - we are so excited for this.

"We would like to say a big thank you to whoever it was that nominated us. We never thought when we first asked Grandad to show us how to weld, we would be where we are today."

Over the weekend, they travelled down to Swansea to be video interviewed ahead of the awards ceremony - something the boys described as an "amazing" experience.  

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