A WEST Devon hotel is celebrating again as its newest recruit and one of its youngest staff members was successful at the City and Guild national catering apprentices' competition.

Tracy Yelland, 21, who works at the Arundell Arms Hotel at Lifton, won the gold medal for NVQ caterers held in Birmingham.

There were some 120 youngsters competing in ten categories. Each had to prepare a dish or its components to the highest of standards in front of a panel of judges within 15 to 20 minutes.

Tracy, who is from Northlew, said: 'I am delighted to have won this. There were so many others there competing and I was really nervous before we started. Once we got going though I just got stuck in, remembered what I had been taught and practiced and it worked.

'I couldn't believe it when they said I had won the gold.'

Adam Fox-Edwards, hotel managing director, said,: 'It is great news that one of our newest recruits has been successful so early on in her career. It shows her hard work and dedication.

'It also reflects well on our head chef Steve Pidgeon and the training that he is giving her and the rest of his brigade.

'I am sure that this award will inspire Tracy to go on and have lots more success in her career. I am a big fan of vocation training and I am delighted that we can play our part.'

Tracy attends Exeter College and joined the Arundell Arms apprentice scheme in 2012.