AN engineer is celebrating after being voted one of the top apprentices in the Thames Valley.

Lydia Feasey scooped the Advanced Apprentice of the Year title at the regional finals of the National Apprenticeship Awards.

Ms Feasey, 22, is in the fourth year of her Nuclear Working – Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Apprenticeship at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy.

She said: “Throughout my apprenticeship I have been given so many opportunities, which have not only helped my career, but also helped me to develop as a person. It is an honour to have won this award. The hard work I have put in throughout the apprenticeship has been worthwhile due to the amount I have gained from it.”

Also celebrating was the team from Daf Trucks in Thame who triumphed in the Large Employer category.

Tony Shepherd from Daf Trucks said: “Winning this award is a reflection of the great work that goes into the Daf Apprentice Programme.”

Recognition was also given to Bicester Village worker Kaine Parker, 21, who was highly commended in the Intermediate Apprentice of the Year section.

Mark Howard, area director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “I am really pleased to see three finalists and two award winners from Oxfordshire.

“More companies are starting to realise the impact apprentices can make to their business and recruitment strategy.

“However there are still four applicants for every online vacancy in Oxfordshire so we hope Daf Trucks and Lydia will help to spread the message of the benefits of apprentices to other employers.”

The winners now progeress to the national finals in November.