AN apprentice at Wellington-based cosmetics firm Swallowfield has scooped an award.

Dan Ashbee, 19, who works in the mechanical engineering department at Swallowfield, was named Bridgwater College's apprentice of the year.

Dan said: “I was overjoyed to win the apprentice of the year award. I would recommend anyone to do an apprenticeship as it allows you to study and gain real life experience at the same time - and of course to have some money in your pocket!”

John Flint, training officer at Bridgwater College who presented Dan with his award, said: “Dan was a committed college student and consistently delivered excellent results.

“He always went the extra mile with high quality work that was right on target.

“He is a well-respected amateur boxer outside of his work and he definitely had the same success in his course as he has a real aptitude for engineering - making himself a valuable member of the team he works with at Swallowfield. He was a real pleasure to teach.”

Keri Allchurch, works director at Swallowfield, said: “We are delighted with Dan's progress and he is a real credit to the apprenticeship scheme. He is a vital part of our team, playing a key role in ensuring that the company's operations are running 24 hours, five days a week.

“Dan was our first apprentice and such has been the success, we now have taken on another two.”