A MARLBROOK hotel conference porter has received the company's Star of the Year Award.

Lee Smith, of Aston Fields, works at the Hilton Bromsgrove, Birmingham Road, and scooped the prize at the firm's annual ceremony, in Birmingham.

It was hosted by Brookside star Vince Earl, who plays Ron Dixon in the television soap.

The event recognises individual staff excellence throughout the chain's 80 hotels nationwide.

Hilton Bromsgrove general manager Nigel Barfoot said: "Lee is 100 per cent committed to providing outstanding customer service.

"He has worked in a number of departments and works well with the whole hotel team."