A customer service manager from Middlesbrough has been recognised with an award for services to the transport industry at a regional awards ceremony.

Gillian Belton who works for Stagecoach at its Travel Shop in Stockton, was presented with The CPT Martin Ballinger Memorial Award for Northern Passenger Transport Employee of the Year.

The award presentation formed part of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Northern Region annual dinner, which was held at the BALTIC centre for Contemporary art at the weekend.

Gillian has worked for the company for almost 30 years and is currently responsible for managing the Travel Shop in the Castlegate Centre in Stockton.  She has worked in customer services for the last 27 years and 26 of those were spent at the Travel Shop at the bus station in Middlesbrough before it was relocated to Stockton. 

Speaking of her award Gillian says: "I am still shocked that I was even nominated in the first place, but I am so thrilled to have won, especially when there were so many other outstanding nominees.  It was wonderful to be presented with the award at CPT diner at the BALTIC, although it was a little daunting standing in front of so many people.  I couldn't do what I do without the support of the team around me so id like to thank the clerks and inspectors that work along side me to make the Travel Shop a success.  I love my job and simply see what i do as part and parcel of it, but its nice to know that other people appreciate me too!"

John Conroy, Managing Director of Stagecoach North East says:" Gillian thoroughly deserves the accolade, as she has set such high standards for customer service in Teesside and throughout our company as a whole.  We'd like to congratulate her once again and thank her for all her hard work and commitment."

Gillian was not the only employee from Stagecoach to be nominated as John Watson, a bus driver from our Walkergate depot was also shortlisted.

The award was judged by an independent panel of judges from the local and trade media.