Car parts manufacturer Valeo Service (UK) has announced its ‘Garage Hero’ finalists; six independent mechanics with a combined experience in the industry of over 150 years.

After entries were received from garages, friends, family and happy customers across the country, the finalists have been named as: Paul Colgrave of the Acliffe Garage in Sheffield, Godfrey Jones of Markhams Garage in Leominster, Herefordshire, Nathan Dent of Forge Auto Engineering Ltd in Aldridge, Walsall, Derek Grover of Grover Motors in Totton, Southampton, Andrew Yull of Towngate Motors in Billingham, Cleveland and Kelvin Martin of Dawlish 2’N’4 Repair Center in Dawlish, Devon.

One winner will be awarded the title of Britain’s ‘Garage Hero’ at the IAAF awards dinner on December 2, as part of a national competition that aims to highlight excellency at independent garages, and raise funds for charities BEN and Brake.

Each finalist has received a £200 cash prize and will appear in a national fundraising calendar with the ‘Valeo Garage Hero Girls’ to promote their garage.

The overall winner and Valeo ‘Garage Hero’ will win £1,000.

Brent Hudson, marketing director at Valeo Service (UK), said: “There are hundreds of private independent garages across the UK and this award is designed to recognise the fantastic work they do.

"We want to highlight the unsung heroes in the industry, who represent the quality, service and commitment that people look for in an independent garage.

“We were very impressed with the standard of entries received and it is clear that independent garages indeed have a firm commitment to delivering high standards of workmanship and customer service.”