A NEWTON travel service has been given a seal of approval after its manager won a prestigious business award.

David Smith, of Old Wargrave Road, won the manager of the year category at The Coach Tourism Awards.

The former sales representative set up his coach holiday service, David Smith Independent Travel, in September 2002.

He decided he would put together tours using quality coach drivers and personally accompany all the trips.

He added high standard hotels at a reasonable price, door-to-door service and now has a significant clientele of people with disabilities.

He said: "It was the first competition I have entered and although I went knowing that I had been shortlisted I was shocked to win.

"It's a very competitive industry and I have not been in it that long.

"I go on all the tours myself - people are confident when they go away with us that they are going to be looked after and that seems to be the main thing."

Judges at the ceremony, which was held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, were impressed with the 50-year-old's "clear-sighted vision, hard work and flair".