LOCAL NatWest area service quality adviser Doreen Jobling is celebrating after being named customer service professional of the year at a glittering award ceremony in London.

Doreen, who coaches staff at NatWest branches in and around the Southampton area on all aspects of customer service, beat off 116 entries from organisations and locations throughout the country to reach the final of the financial services category of the prestigious National Customer Service Awards 2002.

She joined three other finalists in her category, along with finalists for other awards, at an Oscar-style ceremony at The Grosvenor House Hotel, where she was announced as the overall winner.

Cheering Doreen on at the ceremony were her husband Derek, NatWest's regional service quality manager Lynsey Headford and regional managing director, Nigel Crutchley.

Lynsey nominated Doreen for the award and Nigel ensured that Doreen received the full five-star treatment with a stay in a top London hotel and a limousine ride to the ceremony.

Doreen's role involves her working to ensure the delivery of outstanding service to customers at all times. She also provides coaching and advice and acts as a guidance point, for 15 branches in and around the Southampton area, ensuring that they deliver the highest levels of service to their customers.

The aim of the awards, run in association with the Institute of Customer Service, the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals, and the CSM Group, is to promote excellence, best practice and innovation in customer services. To reach the final, Doreen had to complete a detailed application form highlighting her passion and commitment to providing outstanding customer service, and make a 15-minute presentation to a panel of judges at the Chartered Institute of Marketing in Maidenhead.

Commenting on her achievement, Doreen said: "I was delighted to have reached the final of the awards and was absolutely thrilled when they announced me as the winner. I had a fantastic evening and it's great to know that the work I do for NatWest in delivering outstanding customer service has been recognised externally at a national level, as well as by my colleagues within the bank."

Lynsey Headford, NatWest's regional service quality manager, who nominated Doreen for the award, said: "Everyone at NatWest is absolutely delighted for Doreen. She has a real passion for providing outstanding customer service, which inspires all those around her. It's fantastic that she has received such high-level, external recognition for the important role she plays in ensuring that our customers in and around Southampton receive the best level of care possible."