The results of a nationwide competition to reward best practice among staff at Vauxhall Approved Accident Repair Centres have been announced.

Open to technicians and administrators throughout the 185-strong bodyshop network, Vauxhall's Champions Awards for 2001 have identified the top performers in each of five categories from nearly 50 finalists after a week of judging at the Vauxhall College in Luton, at EMTEC in Nottingham and at Thatcham.

The top bodyshop manager, paint technician, bodyshop estimator, bodyshop receptionist and panel technician each receive more than £1,000 worth of high street vouchers as well as a trophy.

Mark Howard of Mann Egerton Exeter won the Paint Technician of the Year Award, while James Young of Dixon Car Clinic in Hull took the honours in the Panel Technician category.

The Bodyshop Manager category was won by Nick Carter, of John F Hutchings, the Vauxhall dealership at Tonypandy in the Rhondda. The Estimator award was won by Barry Williams of Bristol Street in Newcastle.

Winner of the Receptionist Award was Lisa Elston, also from John F Hutchings.

Now in its sixth year, the 2001 Vauxhall bodyshop competition attracted over 300 entries from which finalists were selected. Each received £150 worth of gift vouchers for making it to the finals, while the runners up and third placed finalists in each category also won vouchers worth £500 and £250.

Jim Williams of Vauxhall Motors said: “ The quality of entrants across all categories this year was extremely high and I would like to congratulate all the winners and everybody else who took part on their achievements.”