OUTSTANDING performance has led to high praise for a familiar face behind Bath's main railway station.

Ian Monks, Bath Spa sales office manager, heads a 16-strong team which last year generated more than £12 million worth of train tickets to destinations all over the UK and Europe, including as far afield as Prague and Warsaw..

Aside from overseeing the team, the Warmley resident's hands-on approach meant he has also played a part in generating some of the office's 170,000 Eurostar and 50,000 Interail ticket sales.

In recognition of this, First Great Western has rewarded his exceptional performance with a Gold Award, its most prestigious employee title.

A total of 14 staff, including train drivers, service staff, engineers and others, were presented with lapel pins and certificates during a celebratory lunch at Bristol's Marriott Royal Hotel.

The awards were presented by Mike Carroll, managing director of First Great Western.

He said: "Our Gold Award winners are shining examples of the levels of service we should be striving to achieve every day."