PATROLMAN Stewart Barnett is hoping it will be third time lucky this weekend when the RAC's Ambassador of the Year is announced.

It is the third time since 2000 that the Kidderminster 42-year-old has been nominated for the award in the closely fought national competition.

The title is given to the officer who has demonstrated not just outstanding technical and mechanical expertise but also the highest levels of customer awareness and service.

Mr Barnett, who has been a patrolman for 17 years, deals with between 1,800 and 2,000 breakdowns a year in Wyre Forest, Worcester and Stourbridge and is also responsible for a 10-strong team of patrols in the area.

"I was a little bit surprised to be nominated again, but very pleased," said Mr Barnett, who loves the freedom that the job brings.

He lives in Osprey Park Drive, Spennells, with wife, Deborah and sons Luke and Alexander. In his spare time, he is captain of Stourport Boat Club and has run the London Marathon.

The RAC awards ceremony is being held on Saturday at Alton Towers.