A Darlington marketing consultant has won a sales award. Clare Watson, of Elementary Solutions, won the marketing award at the National Car Rental Franchise convention for work she did with one of her clients, Thrifty Car Rentals, in Darlington.

Ms Watson started working with Thrifty Car Rentals last June as a consultant, planning and executing their six-month sales and marketing plan.

The firm fought off tough competition from larger franchises with their own full-time sales and marketing staff, to win the award.

Brenda Wilson, from Thrifty Car Rentals, said: "We are delighted to win the award, but more importantly we can see the benefits of Clare's work in our sales growth and the general awareness of the business."

Elementary Solutions can be contacted on (01325) 389988.