A HALSTEAD engineering firm is celebrating after its apprenticeship scheme has seen another of its trainees win a national award.

For the second time in three years, an apprentice at Maycast-Nokes in Kings Road has been recognised by the Institute of Cast Metal Engineers.

Richard Hewson, who has been working at the company since 2011, has received the best technical student award by the national body.

Mr Hewson, 26, of Witham, said: "I feel proud to have won a national award for my efforts.

"I do always try to apply myself as much as possible, whether it is in my work or study.

"To know that you are considered the best student in your field of study is an awesome feeling and I hope that I can continue to impress as I move forward in the industry."

The award follows that given to Vicky Clark who was named Student of the Year by the same institute in 2014.

Miss Clark, 30, of Halstead, went on to complete a Foundation Degree in casting technology and is now the company’s senior new product introduction engineer.

Maycast-Nokes has run a successful apprentice scheme for a number of years and 10 per cent of its workforce is made up of apprentices or trainees.

Dave Blower, Maycast-Nokes sales director, said: "We are absolutely delighted for Richard and we congratulate him on winning this award, which is very well deserved.

"We put a lot of resources into our apprenticeship programme and we are very proud of its success. Our training programmes lead to industry recognised qualification and put our trainees of the path to skilled and lifelong careers."