A STOURBRIDGE motor technician just missed out on a trip to Germany after being shortlisted for the Volkswagen Retail Qualification World Championship.

Anthony Webb, who works for Stourbridge Volkswagen in Audnam, made it through to the final four in the Master Technician category, with the overall winner going onto represent the UK in Wolfsburg next May.

The 34-year-old said :"There are 11 of us in the workshop, and my role includes looking after the youngsters and helping with their training.

“A mechanic's job has changed so much over the last few years as cars become more and more technological we have had to specialise more in electronics.

"But it’s an exciting learning curve, and keeps us at the very forefront of motor engineering.”

He said he was disappointed about missing out on the award, adding: "I've come close to winning on a number of occasions and I really wanted to win it for the team in Stourbridge as well as for myself.

"But I am delighted to have made it to the finals and to be one of the top four master technicians in the UK. Maybe next year will be my lucky year?”