Michael Crowe, 20, a medical engineer at South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, has been awarded the Health Estates and Facilities Management Association apprentice of the year award for engineers and apprentices at its regional awards ceremony.

The ceremony, at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, recognised the achievement of estates apprentices from across the NHS Northern and Yorkshire region.

Michael, from Sunderland, said: "I am extremely grateful to have received this award and I think, more than anything, it reflects the quality of the mentoring and advice I've received from the people working around me.

"It also shows that my hard work over the last four years was well worth it, and although there's a lot more hard work to come, it has made me more determined than ever to succeed in my career."

Michael completed his full advanced apprenticeship framework in July 2008, going on to full-time employment at the Trust as a biomedical engineer.

Also celebrating is Anthony Spoors, also from Sunderland, who completed his full advanced multi-skilled apprenticeship framework in June with outstanding results and has now been appointed as a multi-skilled craftsman at the Trust.

Chief executive Lorraine Lambert said: "It is vitally important that we recognise the contribution made by our built environment team and its large part in patient care.

"The continuous development, improvement and maintenance of our hospital sites are an essential part of the high-quality service we are able to offer local people.

"Much of this sterling work goes unseen, so it is great to have award schemes that celebrate this area of work and skill within the NHS.

"Our congratulations go to Michael and Anthony for all their hard work and their significant contribution to the running of our Trust over of the last four years; they are both much valued members of our team."

The Trust's estates and biomedical engineering department is hoping to build on this success with new apprentices James Taylor and Kirk Newton, who have successfully completed their first year and have been awarded an NVQ Level 2 in performing engineering operations.

Both are now working towards a National Certificate in Engineering.