Accident management specialist WNS Assistance is launching a national bodyshop award to highlight outstanding repairers within its network.

The scheme will target the top 40 bodyshops in the 330-strong network.

WNS said the awards are intended to promote its internal standard for repairers, which rewards quality of service with increased work volume.

Bodyshops are currently graded gold, silver and bronze, depending on elements including customer satisfaction and repair cycle times.

Contracts director Dave Butler said: "Our gold standard guarantees a high level of work as we currently carry out more than 150,000 repairs annually.

"This has enabled our star performers to grow and grow. We now want to offer them a further productivity bonus in the shape of these bodyshop Oscars in order to confirm their star status."

Awards will be presented to the top three repairers by guest host, snooker celebrity John Parrott, at a ceremony in Birmingham on April 11.