TRAINEE maintenance technician Frank Malia has motored ahead of the competition at Nissan Sunderland's annual trainee of the year awards ceremony.

The 22-year-old was voted outstanding maintenance trainee of the year and received the company's prestigious Brian Walton Memorial Award for his work at the car plant.

Frank has worked for the motoring giant for four-and-a-half years.

During that time he has undergone both on the job and off the job training leading to an NVQ Level III and double HNC in mechanical and electrical engineering.

Steve Pallas, training manager at Nissan, said: "We are all delighted for Frank.

"He has worked extremely hard and shown a great deal of dedication to Nissan."

Mr Pallas added: "Every car company is dependant on the skills and the dedication of the people they employ.

"It is just as important to invest in training as it is in the latest technology for the cars themselves."