TOP staff at motor giant Hendy Group's Southampton dealerships have been honoured at the company's eighth annual service technician and administrator awards ceremony.

Kevin Richards, a technician with the group at Hendy Ford in Marchwood, was the overall winner of the group service technician of the year award. Keith Murphy picked up Marchwood's individual award for service administrator of the year.

Simon Batchelor was the winner of the technician of the year award for the new Eastleigh dealership, with Martin Williamson as runner-up. At Hendy Ford in Shirley Matt Wilson won the administrator of the year award, while Russel Killinger-Brown won the technician of the year award, with Roger Cornish as runner-up.

They were presented with their awards by Hendy Group managing director, Paul Hendy, who paid tribute to the work of the whole group's technical and support staff.

He said: "The company is celebrating a record year, following the opening of its £8m multi-franchise operation in Leigh Road, Eastleigh, as well as a new parts warehouse in Hedge End and a bodyshop at Segensworth.

"Our expansion and success is down to everyone playing an important role in the smooth running of the company and these awards recognise the effort all employees put into the Hendy Group."

Employing more than 900 people the Hendy Group operates Ford, Mazda, Honda and Kia car franchises throughout the south together with LDV van and Iveco truck sales, used car supermarkets and a Power Products operation.