BURNLEY FC manager Steve Cotterill and comedian Richard Morton were among the special guests at the annual Pendle Training Awards Evening.

The event was attended by 350 apprentices, their families and local employers.

They were treated to an hilarious stand-up performance by the comic before he travelled North to the Edinburgh Festival.

The Fence Gate Inn, Fence, was packed to capacity as a host of trophies were presented.

They coverfed a wide range of areas including engineering, business administration and customer services.

Guest speakers included senior representatives from local companies including Smiths Aerospace Components, Tradewinds, 2BR, Veka Plc and Daisy Communications.

Group Chief Executive Alan Firminger said: "The evening was a fantastic celebration of success. It was an opportunity to congratulate our apprentices and to thank the companies who have supported the learners through their apprenticeships with Pendle Training."

The coveted Pendle Training Learner of the Year title was taken by Claire Milne from Colne.

And 21-year-old Paul Southworth, of Accrington was another big winner on the night, taking home the 'Pendle Training Award for Outstanding Achievement'.

The winners were: Pendle Training Learner of the Year, Claire Milne; Pendle Training Award for Outstanding Achievement 2004, Paul Southworth; Business Administration Learner of the Year (FMA), Safina Ahmed; Business Administration Learner of the Year (AMA), Craig Foulds; Outstanding Achievement (Business Administration), Ahneela Jabeen; Outstanding Progress (Business Administration), Danielle Weldon; Outstanding Character (Business Administration), Joanne Gill; Outstanding Attitude and Motivation (Business Administration), Jodi Hanson; Best Day Release Performance (Business Administration), Zoe Dixon; Best In Company Learner (Business Administration), Zaida Younis; customer service Learner of the Year (FMA), Wendy Gaynor; Customer Service Learner of the Year (AMA), Sarah Jayne Moore; Outstanding Achievement (Customer Service), Sarah Jayne Moore; Outstanding Progress (Customer Service), Samantha Payne; Award for Outstanding Character (Customer Service), Graham Briggs; Award for Outstanding Attitude and Motivation (Customer Service), Linda Bartlett; Best In Company Learner (Customer Service), Wendy Gaynor; Call Handling Learner of the Year (FMA), Mandy Cullen; Outstanding Achievement (Call Handling), Katie Jones; Outstanding Progress (Call Handling), Katie Slater; Outstanding Attitude and Motivation (Call Handling), Katie Jones; Best In Company Learner (Call Handling), Mandy Cullen; Award for Outstanding Character, Naeem Waka; Care Learner of the Year (FMA), Claire Milne; Care Learner of the Year (AMA), Zoe Whittaker; Care Level 2 Learner of the Year (NVQ), Tracy Sharp; Care Level 3 learner of the Year (NVQ), Alison Bracewell; Outstanding Achievement (Care), Gail Smith; Outstanding Attitude and Motivation (Care), Sarah Coates; Best In Company Learner (Care), Karin Franks; Best Day Release Performance (Care), Georgina Lambert; Electrical Award, Daniel Riley; Turning Award, Daniel Caple; Milling Award, Russell Butler; Fitting Award, Stuart Scott; Warren Riley Memorial Trophy (best log book), Daniel Riley; D R Cookson Memorial Trophy (Health and Safety), Gavin Davis; John Barrie Memorial Trophy (apprentice of the year), Russell Miller; Derek Bennet Memorial Trophy (Sheetmetal), Jamie Southworth; Tool making Award, Dean Rainford; CNC Machining Award, Lee Hopson; Technicians Award, John Daly; Craft Academic Award, Ryan Beckwith; Craft Practical Award, Nick Sinclair; Engineering Award, Paul Southworth; Learn Direct Learner of the Year, Mary Noble; Learn Direct Progress Award, Ryan Wilson; Pendle Community Link ICT user Awards, Harold Green; e2e Learner of the Year, Donna Anderson; Most improved Learner, Andrew Parr; Award for outstanding Attitude and Motivation, Mark Haigh; Award for outstanding Achievement, Victoria Roseby; Award for outstanding Progress, Paul McLaughlan.