FERRY staff are celebrating after making waves at a training award ceremony.

The contact centre team at P&O Ferries, Dover, has won a top National Training Award.

Andrew Castle, television presenter and former British tennis ace made the presentation to Barbara Ratcliff, head of the contact centre, and Gaynor Humphries, training manager at the event in the HG Wells Conference Centre, Woking.

The National Training Award is given to companies showing exceptional achievement through training and development, and considered to be an inspiring example to others.

The awards are backed by the Department for Education and Skills and are the highest that can be achieved in the UK for training and development.

The accolade is the latest in a string of awards for the contact centre team this year., including a national sales award, accreditation from the Contact Centre Association, and the only Highly Commended in its category at the European Call Centre Awards.

"I’m extremely proud to be part of such a winning team," said Ms Radcliff. "Everyone in the department must take credit for this fantastic achievement that rounds off a very successful year."

Mr Castle added: "Training is essential to any success whether it’s on the tennis court, in life or in business. Training for a major tennis tournament has similarities with the training many of the South East winners have undertaken. The winners knew their goal, they planned what they needed to do to reach it and then they’ve gone out there and not only achieved it, but often exceeded their expectations. I wish them all continued success in the future. Congratulations!"

Abbott Laboratories in Queenborough was highly commended in the same awards. Trophies will be presented at a gala event in London in December.

This year is the 20th anniversary of National Training Awards which were set up to celebrate individuals, businesses and organisations that have achieved outstanding success through training and development. The awards are sponsored by City & Guilds.

* Details about next year’s awards on 020 7612 9269, email Nicola.smith@ukskills.org.uk or visit www.nationaltrainingawards.com