TAVISTOCK businessman Simon Allen has steered his company to a third successive ?Saint of the Year? award.

Tavistock Tyres on Plymouth Road industrial estate was one of just ten prize winners in Bridgestone/Firestone UK?s Saint of the Year awards, designed to reward the cream of its First Stop network of independent tyre dealerships throughout the country for high levels of professionalism and customer service.

Tavistock Tyres are the first outlet in the competition?s history to achieve a hat-trick of wins.

?I?m proud we have proven ourselves to be among the best in the country again,? said Simon.

?And it?s even more of an honour to be the first outlet to make it a hat-trick of successes. It?s no surprise to me though, as everyone at Tavistock Tyres has worked hard to make it happen.?

Each of the 130 First Stop outlets was judged on a broad range of criteria, including the quality of their customer

service.

?Customer service is extremely important here,? added Simon. ?My staff are sent on training courses each year to make sure they are up-to-date with the latest information, so that they can give customers the best possible advice.?

Simon said he wanted to thank every member of staff for the hard work and effort they had put in, during the past year.

First Stop business development manager John Cowderoy, said winning an award for the third year running was a ?remarkable achievement?

As a Saint of the Year winner, Simon and his partner Maria Jessop have won a £500 weekend break in a location of their choice.

l The firm also recently scored a one-two at a go-karting competition organised by leading tyre firm Pirelli, at Thruxstone race circuit.

The six-man Tavistock Tyres team were competing against other tyre outlets from across the South of England in 60- miles-per-hour karts on the brand new outdoor karting circuit at Thruxstone.

All six team drivers among a field of around 40 qualified for the final with Wayne Smalley and Simon Allen coming first and second and other Tavistock Tyres drivers finishing fourth, fifth and sixth.

Simon Allen said: ?I was surprised how far in front we were, 35 seconds ahead with a lap taking just over a minute was really good.? The Tavistock Tyres double-act were so dominant on the day, they were the Schumacher and Barrichello of go-karting acknowledged Simon, though he said he was disappointed to be playing the role of Barrichello!

?It was a cracking day, and everyone was pleased to take the awards,? added Simon.

l Tavistock Tyres scooped a third victory recently, when one of their employees shot the best round at an invitation golf day at Daventry Golf Course.

Tristan Strout, who works at both the Launceston and Tavistock branches, plays regularly at Trethorne Golf Course.

Tristan shot the best round and claimed six of the nine trophies available.

The golf day was organised by Falken Tyres, a subsidiary of Dunlop.