Teenage Bromsgrove lorry driver Chris Levett is on the right road to career success after being named Transport Apprentice of the Year.

The 19-year-old won the accolade in a national contest supported by the Road Haulage and Distribution Training Council.

The award comes just six months after Chris became the first person in the country to gain his vocational licence under a groundbreaking Young Drivers Scheme.

Chris is already driving large goods vehicles at an age when most young people are just passing their car test due to pioneering training from an Oldbury company.

He collected his prize at a plush ceremony at the Worshipful Company of Carmen, in London.

Chris, of Bromsgrove, works for a family firm, founded by his grandfather, Bird's Groupage, of Oldbury.

Business development manager Ken MacIntosh said the award reflected Chris's passion for the industry.

"Chris has loved being around lorries since he was a young lad," he said.

"He has made excellent progress and knuckled down. He deserves the award for all his hard work."

Chris said he was delighted with the award but had not expected to be honoured in this way.

He praised the training from Targeted Training Services (TTS) which worked alongside Bird's to allow him to take part in the Government-backed Young Drivers Scheme.

He said: "I have enjoyed the fact that I can already drive - usually you can 't until you are 21.

"I travel all over the country and appreciate the freedom that brings."

TTS director Paul Coxhead explained that the New Young Driver scheme was introduced to try to stem a shortage of drivers in the logistics industry by encouraging drivers to enter the industry at a younger age.

He said: "Chris is an excellent example of what can be achieved.

"We hope that other young people can follow his example and start on the road to a career in transport and logistics at an earlier age."