AN engineering apprentice has received a major regional honour.

James Scott-Roberts has been awarded the Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE) Regional Apprentice of the Year Award.

James, from Liverpool, completed his Advanced Level Apprenticeship in engineering manufacture last October and is currently working as a mechanical engineer for White Moss Horticulture, looking after heavy plant and production machinery.

He hopes to continue studies and would like to progress on to a higher national certificate in mechanical engineering.

Ron Faulkner, Merseyside and North Wales' regional education officer at IMechE, will present James with his award at a special presentation ceremony at the College's Birches Restaurant a week on Friday, February 14.

James will be joined by his parents, tutors and college manager Pat Malone to celebrate his success.

On winning the award, James said: "I was ecstatic, I couldn't believe I had won, it still hasn't sunk in.

"I don't feel as if I went out of my way to win.

"I guess the trick to winning isn't trying to win but just having a consistent work ethic towards your education and chosen career path."

James will now progress on to the final stages of the national award, which will be announced at the national ceremony taking place in Chester in March 2020.

James added: "Completing my apprenticeship through Wirral Met gave me the knowledge and the experience I needed to kick start my career in engineering.

"Having access to experienced engineering tutors gave me the opportunity to have a lifetime's worth of information at any given moment."