STAFF at a travel agents in Hartlepool are flying high after beating off competition from 15 other branches in Teesside to pick up a Store of the Year award.

The award was given to the Callers Pegasus branch by the company's head office following a series of on-the-spot visits from the area manager.

Natalie Glaister, from the store, was also crowned employee of the year. The 19-year-old from Peterlee, has worked in the travel industry since she left school, gaining NVQ level two and three travel and tourism qualifications in the process.

Assistant manager at the store Julie Pearce said: "The award is a terrific success for us."