A KENT woman has become the UK’s first female Harley-Davidson technician. Sue Spriggs, who works for Surrey Harley-Davidson, said: “I didn’t know I was going to be the first woman technician when I took the job, but I’m delighted and hope I can encourage others to join me.”

The former GEC Avionics technician from Gillingham said: “I have always worked in male dominated environments so it’s not a problem - in fact, I relish it. I enjoy the banter and I give as good as I get.”

Sue, 30, will be working in one of the busiest Harley-Davidson workshops in the country. She is one of more than 100 Harley-Davidson technicians in the UK and will soon be making the journey to the US and the Harley-Davidson University for specialist training.

She said: “I can’t wait to go to the US. This is a dream job for me as I’ve ridden Harleys for years and always had a natural ability for solving technical problems and fixing things, especially cars and bikes.”

Paul Stephenson, Surrey Harley-Davidson’s general manager, said: “It’s great to have a first at the dealership and I hope that it brings more female customers in. But, to be honest, Sue was the best technician I interviewed for the job and that’s why she is with us today.”