COMET Group's top 40 drivers have contested the sixth annual company Driver of the Year awards. Company car drivers on the 1,300-strong fleet joined van-driving colleagues for the first time.

Current Fleet News UK Fleet of the Year, and runner-up in last year's Vauxhall-sponsored Fleet News Britain's Safest Fleet competition, Comet has reduced costs following initiatives including establishing an academy of excellence. Transport and distribution services controller Ian Markham said: 'We are pro-active for safety. If drivers are trained properly they are safer, emissions can be controlled, mpg improved and the company's image is boosted.'

The nine categories were slalom manoeuvrability and skills, designated route, speed wheel change, 4x4, blindfold driving, karting, skid car and cage control, hgv manoeuvrability, a mystery team event and a theory examination. Driver of the Year was Giles Thorlby from Leicester, whose prize included the use of a Ford Mondeo for a year.