VOSPER Thornycroft laminator Denis Cantell has been helping staff make light work of their jobs with an innovation which has earned him a £500 bonus.

Denis devised a new idea which means that his workmates no longer have to get down on their hands and knees to work on the plastic panels used on the Royal Navy Minehunters.

Denis' idea was to apply a handle to the abrading equipment the staff operate so that it can be used like a lawnmower.

Having come up with the idea Denis then made a successful prototype and now the machines are in regular use at Vosper Thornycroft and, in addition to saving time, they also have health and safety benefits for the staff.

Denis' bright idea was voted the best from hundreds of continuous improvement suggestions as Vosper in the last year and won him the £500 bonus at the company's annual training awards.

These awards rewarded more than 90 high achievers ranging from apprentices to Vosper sponsored graduates. Machine work shop apprentice Robert Oakley won three awards - including VT's Apprentice of the Year.

Presenting the awards chief executive Martin Jay said that the investment in the future was an essential element of the company, both in terms of investment in new plant such as the possible move to Portsmouth for the shipbuilding operation, and in its employees.

"We will continue to be a Southampton orientated company even if we do shift our shipbuilding activities to Portsmouth,'' he said.