Boris Johnson joined rugby star Matt Dawson to congratulate all 26 young members of Team UK for achieving the nation's best results yet in the biggest skills competition in the world.

By winning three gold medals, six bronze medals and 14 medallions for excellence, the UK came seventh out of 46 entered nations - up four places from WorldSkills 2007. The international event, which pits nations against each other to compete in skills ranging from cookery to bricklaying, is coming to London in 2011.

Mr Johnson said: "London is consistently voted the best city in the world to do business and our strong skills base is a key factor behind this. So I am delighted to welcome back our ambassadors who are doing such a great job flying the skills flag abroad. In 2011 it will be our honour to host WorldSkills, when we will not only show the world our brilliance in staging great events, but also the great pool of talent in our country and in our capital."

Simon Bartley, chief executive of UK Skills, which manages Team UK, said: "I had the honour of being able to see Team UK in action at WorldSkills Calgary 2009 and what they achieved was nothing short of amazing.

"The dedication the whole team put in before the competition was outstanding and it has certainly paid off. We couldn’t be more proud of the team. They have deservedly today been honoured for what they have achieved.

"I send my congratulations to them all and hope that their hard work and results inspire many more to take part in skill competitions and indeed come and see the WorldSkills Competition in action themselves when it is held in London in October 2011."

To find out where each nation came, click here

(Pictured: Boris Johnson, left, with Cookery gold medal winner Adam Smith)