STAFF at a business in Thorpe-le-Soken are celebrating the success of a technician who has been named student of the year by a national trade body.

Richard Pingram, 32, from Clacton, has been presented with the award after gaining top marks while studying to become a Property Care Association (PCA) qualified technician in damp and timber.

Richard, works at Hyltreat, which is based in Thorpe-Le-Soken and specialises in identifying and remedying timber issues and damp problems in homes across Essex and Suffolk.

Hyltreat has been in business for more than 40 years and the team of ten are celebrating Richard’s success.

Sarah Hylton, director of the family firm, said: “One of the things we’re really proud of as a company is our staff retention.

“We value the team we work with, and many of them have been with us for upwards of 30 years, because we invest in them as people.

“When Richard came to us we offered him the chance to study with the PCA.

“It’s part of his natural progression through the company and we were delighted that he’s been named Student of the Year.

“All our team work hard to provide a professional customer service and Richard’s hard work both on site and in his studies has definitely paid off.”

Every autumn the PCA presents student of the year awards to individuals who undertake training with the association, based on their results.

Steve Hodgson, chief executive of the PCA, said: “Expanding the talent and skills within our industry is hugely important to the economy, to the construction of vital infrastructure and to home-owners across the UK.

“I’d like to personally congratulate Richard at Hyltreat for the hard work and dedication that is recognised with this award.”