TIM Parker, retail supervisor at Settle Station has won Arriva Trains Northern's first employee of the month award after showing that he goes that extra mile for his customers.

Tim, who has worked in the rail industry for 26 years, was nominated by Arriva Trains Northern customers who felt that he deserved recognition.

He was commended for his courtesy, hard work, excellent travel information knowledge and advice and warm welcome.

One regular customer also credited Tim for going so far as to personally deliver his rail tickets to him in London while Tim was visiting the capital on a day trip.

The Customer Service Awards allow local people to nominate Arriva Trains Northern employees who work hard to provide their customers with a high quality service - and in some cases go above and beyond the call of duty.

In September 2004 Tim, named Station Employee of the Year in the 1999 National Rail Awards, will go head to head with the other Employee of the Month award winners to try to win Employee of the Year with the prize of a holiday.

Tim said: "I enjoy my job so it is good to know that when you've done that little extra for someone, they remember you for it - and tell your employer about it."

Arriva Trains Northern's managing director Dyan Crowther presented the award to Tim. "Tim has set the standard and we congratulate him on his award," she said.

Tim's Employee of the Month prize is the choice of a night for two in London with show tickets, a shopping trip in the capital or two nights in Edinburgh.