TALENTED trainees from the East Lancashire motor vehicle industry were under the spotlight at an awards evening.

The Training 2000 awards were held at Mytton Fold Hotel and Gold Complex in Langho, where Blackburn Rovers favourites Tony Parkes and Damian Duff made the presentations.

The overall apprentice of the year award was given to John Dixon from Whalley Motor Services while the parts distribution apprentice of the year was Ian Scattergood from T. Knowles Motorbodies, Blackburn.

HNC student of the year was Neil Brown from John Macadam and Sons, Colne. Other award winners were:

First year apprentices: Peter Cosway from Walker Farrimond Mitsubishi, Nelson, and Paul Yates from Read Caravans.

Second years: Mark Bickerstaffe from A. and J. Whites Subaru, Blackburn and Ian McDonald from Station Garage, Leyland.

Third years: Alan Baines from Ribblesdale Auto Electrics and David Gates from T. Knowles Motorbodies, Blackburn.

Fourth years: John Dixon from Whalley Motor Services and Daniel Shepherd from Nook Lane Garage, Accrington.

Picture: Tony Parkes congratulates overall apprentice winner John Dixon at an awards evening at the Mytton Fold Hotel. Other winners looking on, from the left, Ian Scattergood, Daniel Shepherd, Kevin Marton, Peter Cosway, Neil Brown and Paul Yates