A joiner has won Hexham Rotary’s Young Employee of the year competition 2024.

The award ceremony was held at Hexham Golf Club and crowned Felix Higgins, from Richard James Joinery, as the winner as he outshined his rivals.

The evening saw past winners reflect on their success.

Katie Prothero, last year's winner, talked about what she has done since winning the prize, while it was mentioned how the 2022 winner, Rebecca Dent, found the award to be a springboard for her career in Equine Nursing.

Nick Rossiter, president of Hexham Rotary, said: “The three finalists Anna Bowden(third) from BT Bell Consulting Engineers, Louis Brown (second) from Osbit Ltd and Felix Higgins (the winner) , were all outstanding, not only in relation to what they did for their employers but also for the enthusiastic attitude to life inside and outside the work environment.”

The annual competition is open to all employees in Tyne Valley who display a positive work attitude and make significant contributions to their respective companies and organisations.

Awards and cash prizes are given to the top three candidates, thanks to sponsorship from the Reece Foundation and Hexham Town Council.