EILEEN Austin's office skills paid dividends when she carried off a Secretary of the Year title in a competition run by a Kidderminster-based employment agency.

The personal assistant to the managing director of Stourport firm, TP Activity Toys, beat off the challenge from a field of candidates including Sarah Grove, of Stourport's Vale Construction, and Sue Ross, of Kidderminster's Purac.

Louise Hewett's employment agency ran the annual event, with the results announced at Hanbury Hall, Droitwich, last Thursday.

"I'm happy about this award because it recognises all the hard working secretaries and PAs out there and I accepted the award on behalf of all the unsung heroes," said the winner, who scooped a luxury hotel break in London's Theatreland.