Youngster crowned Lego champ

Stania Kelgr with his award winning dragon. Photo / Te Awamutu Courier

He's built trains, space-ports, a motorised bug and even Lego clothing - and after five years of trying 12-year-old Stania Klegr has finally become National Lego Building Champion.

The home-schooled Te Awamutu youngster was delighted to be named the 2013 winner after spending about a month building a red dragon sitting on a rock that used more than 10,000 Lego bricks.

"The dragon just came from my imagination - I started with the rock it stands on and then built it up from there.

"It was a bit unstable to start with, so I put supports through the middle. Mum didn't want to come near it, in case it collapsed."

Stania, who lives at Puahue, is a huge Lego fan - he spends hours building models and saves his money to buy new sets.

His bedroom floor is covered in Lego and he has some impressive models on the shelves (including his most expensive one, a train).

The National Lego Building Competition is run in conjunction with Toyworld stores and gives the winner a family trip to Legoland in California.

Later in the year Stania and his family will be off to California - with return flights, five nights accommodation, four days theme park entry to Legoland and $1500 spending money.

"I'm looking forward to seeing all the displays there - it's pretty exciting.

"Hopefully I might be able to buy something special that's not available here."