A voluntary worker in Keighley last night scooped an accolade in this year's Servicemark Yorkshire & Humber Customer Service Awards 2002.

Paul Holroyd, who works for the Vintage Carriages Trust at the Ingrow Railway Centre, was nominated for the voluntary sector award by the Trust's honorary curator Jackie Cope for his dedication and enthusiasm.

Mr Holroyd was praised for the rapport he has built up with film and television companies who hire the Trust's collection for production use.

He has also developed specialist knowledge of the film industry and is able to draw up and execute contracts with film and television companies.

This is all done in his leisure time as a volunteer. He was praised as a "great ambassador" for the Trust.

The awards, which for the first time have included areas outside Leeds, aim to honour people whose commitment to giving the best possible service to their customers, benefits the economy and competitiveness of the region.

Winners were presented with their awards by Christa Ackroyd, presenter of BBC Television's Look North, in a ceremony in Le Mridien Queen's Hotel in Leeds.

The event, which was sponsored by The Light, Leeds, ended with a special journey across Yorkshire on board the British Pullmans of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

A customer services assistant at Leeds Bradford Airport was highly commended at the ceremony. Brigitte Robson, was nominated for a travel and transport award by the airport's personnel and safety manager Hilary Staves.

She was put forward for the award, which was won by a Hull Trains supervisor, for her commitment to helping distressed and frustrated passengers.

She had helped organise a supply of pillows, blankets, nappies and baby food for travellers marooned overnight.

She was also praised for showing initiative in helping passengers needing to resolve IT difficulties before continuing their journey.