A WYRE Forest District Council officer has earned a top safety qualification after passing a seven-hour exam with flying colours.

Chris Connor, of Areley Kings, will receive the British Safety Council Diploma in Safety Management at a ceremony in London next month.

It is an awards double for father-of-one Mr Connor, aged 49. He achieved the safety council's safety management certificate last year.

He has been with the district council's parks department for 25 years and was appointed parks development officer in February.