A FORK lift truck trainee is crowned apprentice of the year.

H G Wood Lift Trucks Ltd has made a star signing in fork lift truck apprentice, Matthew Connelly.

He’s just won the fiercely-contested apprentice of the year award at the national awards for excellence.

During his time at H G Wood, Matthew has trained on a range of industrial vehicles while attending North Warwickshire and Hinckley College.

The 22-year-old said: “I was surprised and delighted to win the award considering the competition I was up against. My aims are to continue my training to the highest level possible and to develop my skills.”

The firm’s managing director, David Wood, said: “I’m really proud of Matthew’s success. He really is a genuinely nice guy and his work ethic really impresses me. We’re very fortunate at the moment in that business is booming for us which gives us a chance to invest in the future.”

The Grappenhall based company was also recently accepted as a member of the Fork Lift Truck Association which is Europe’s leading representative body for dealers, suppliers and manufacturers of lift trucks.