ACCOUNTANTS are seldom in the spotlight and rarely receive public recognition, although they are an essential part of any successful business. Philip Fisher, 39, company secretary and accountant at Gillingham-based Volkswagen dealership JCB Medway, is an exception to that rule.

Recently, he earned the accolade VW Dealership Accountant of the Year, and was presented with a silver trophy by Chris Blue, VW group franchise manager, at a ceremony in Chester.

Mr Fisher, who lives in Ashford, said: "I was suprised and delighted because there are some 250 VW dealerships in the country, so there was considerable competition."

JCB Medway owner Jonathan Bischoff was not surprised by the award, because Mr Fisher was short-listed in the same contest just after he joined the company three years ago.