MOTOR technician Tony Hooper of Lydney has scooped his firm's Technician of the Year award for the second time – and will now represent Britain in a play-off against Europe's best in Barcelona.
Tony was one of 15 contestants chosen from 120 Seat dealerships around the UK to face two days of gruelling practical and theory testing at the firm's HQ in Milton Keynes.
After winning through Tony, 39, and two other competitors will be travelling to the Seat factory in Spain to battle it out with teams from other European countries.
"I'm looking forward to going to Spain – even if it does mean we have to go through it all over again," he said.
Tony, who works for Lydney firm Thompson and Thompson, started his career in Hereford, where he took his City and Guilds Certificate and achieved distinctions in many of the subjects.
After college he went on to become a Grade A mechanic at a VW dealership and then furthered his career by becoming workshop supervisor at a Seat garage.
He won the best technician title in 1992, after which he was awarded membership of the Institute of Motor Industry and later qualified as a Certificated Automotive Engineer.
His sons of 8 and 12 and daughter of 13 and wife Geraldine are all wishing him well for his chances abroad, as are his parents.
Tony's 1992 win also brought him an expenses-paid holiday in the Canaries.
He has always managed to keep himself well informed of the changes in vehicle technology, spending many hours of his own time in study.
He has a passion for anything on wheels, be it two or four, and always takes time out to enjoy his favourite hobby of motor-cycling.