A NORTH-EAST car dealership is celebrating after being crowned one of the top ten in the country.

Drive Vauxhall, on the towns Burn Road, was the regions sole representative on the Bodyshop of the Year honours list after achieving exceptionally high standards in customer satisfaction.

The award is presented to sites around the country that have been marked well during assessments throughout the year on the standards of quality Drive deliver to their customers.

Around 240 body shops were scrutinised in the awards scheme and Joe Palmer, the regional retail manager for Drive, said: "Its a great award for Drive Hartlepool to be recognised as Bodyshop of the Year winner from a national perspective.

"This award comes after the dealership delivered a high standard of quality in repairs and customer satisfaction. Its a tribute to Drive dealerships focus on customer care and an excellent customer experience."

The Hartlepool branch employs 45 members of staff and customers were asked to give a mark out of 10 in categories such as customer service, staff treatment and standards of repairs.