A WORCESTER man who started out as a £27-a-week trainee has been appointed area manager of a UK painting company.

Darren Bowkett is the new area manager at the Cheltenham office of J & S Seddon Painting Ltd.

The 35-year-old is now in charge of 70 staff, both in the office and overseeing contracts at sites around Worcestershire, Hereford-shire and Gloucestershire.

Mr Bowkett, who lives in St Peter's, said: "I was just 16 when I joined J & S Seddon as a painter and decorator.

"I put the hours in at college and came away with some good exam results and eventually it all paid off for me," he said.