AMONG slabs of stone and the tap of chisels, promising stone masons will battle to emerge on top at an annual competition.

The gifted chisel-wielders are students from Weymouth College who next week will be testing their mettle at the annual Boss Stone Carving Competition.

From 9am on Wednesday June 1 to around midday on Friday June 3, current stonemasonry and building conservation students are to be tasked with turning crude blocks of boss stone into works of art.

None of their chipping and chiselling will escape the watchful eyes of the expert judges who will appraise the contestants on their attention to detail and creative ability.

The event will be held at the Dorset Centre for the Creative Arts in Poundbury with a presentation at 1.30pm on June 3.

A boss stone forms an artistic meeting point to converging vaulting ribs, with examples visible in the high ceilings of Salisbury Cathedral.

A spokesperson from Weymouth College said: “The Stonemasonary team would encourage people to visit the event, to watch the students in the throes of carving and to see this amazing display of traditional skills.

“The Stonemasonary studio will be open to the public from 9am on each day of the event and we look forward to welcoming you.”

The competition started more than 20 years ago at Weymouth College’s old Newstead Road site.

In 2010, it was relocated to Poundbury.

Hanson Bath & Portland Stone, Worshipful Company of Masons, J P Masonry Supplies and other regional employers count themselves among the supporters of the competition.