HARD-working railway engineer Paul Middleton has proved he’s a real grafter - and is now in the running to take a national award for his efforts.

The 35-year-old from Saltburn-by-the Sea has been selected as one of the six finalists for the title of UK Worker of the Year 2015.

Paul is a mechanical foreman for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway who leads a team of staff and volunteers on a daily basis to restore and maintain the fleet of steam locomotives.

His job involves welding, riveting, painting and much more. Mr Middleton is also able to drive diesel railway engines and is a qualified locomotive fireman.

“I’m utterly delighted to have made this year’s final,” he said.

“I aim to help, motivate and inspire a new generation and keep Britain's engineering heritage alive for all to enjoy long into the future. I’d like to thank everyone who has got behind me and I can now look forward to judging day.”

The judging day for the title, set up by workwear company Dickies, will be October 16 and will take place at Brands Hatch at the MCE British Superbike meeting.

He will have to prove his mettle during a demanding Dragon Den’s style interrogation by a panel of expert judges.

Dickies sales and marketing director Maurice Morton said: “The standard of entries has increased and has been noticeably stronger than in previous years.

“We received the highest number of entries this year and Paul and our other five finalists have been picked on merit to battle it out for this year’s prestigious title.

“It was obviously no small task to sift our way through the thousands of nominations we received but Paul’s entry has got him to judging day and our grand finale.”

The eventual winner will have the choice between a Kawasaki Ninja 300 and a £5,000 holiday as well as a year of free shopping at Asda.

The winner will also be in the running to win a life-changing £100,000 should he or she predict the outcome of the top six rider positions in the Superbike race.

Other finalists include a gymnastics coach and builder from Preston, a homicide case worker from Birmingham, a tree surgeon from Andover, a builder from Chapel-en-le-Frith and a motor vehicle lecturer from Liverpool.