A NORTH-EAST dealer raced ahead at the motor industry's national awards.

John Fearn, of deVries Honda Stockton, was named dealer principal of the year at the Motor Trader Industry Awards 2007 - the Oscars of the auto industry.

The award was recognition for his efforts to transform the fortunes of the Stockton dealership into the second-best Honda outlet in the UK.

Mr Fearn said: "This is unbelievable. It's not very often that you are voted best in the UK at your job."

He was quick to pay tribute to his staff at the dealership. "It is an individual award for a team effort," he said.

There are 31 people in Stockton who did what I asked of them. At the end of the day, they listened to me and what I wanted to do. I couldn't have done it without them."

Mr Fearn, who is now in charge of the group's York dealership, was also named runner-up in the most improved business of the year category.

He collected the awards at a ceremony held at the Grosvenor Hotel, in London, attended by 1,500 people from across the industry.

Chairman John deVries and Richard Kirby-Brown, managing director of deVries, were also there.

Mr Kirby-Brown said: "It is hard to overplay what a phenomenal achievement this is for John and for deVries.

"He has done a remarkable job with our Stockton dealership and pulled together the team there to outshine our competitors. This is a very deserving award for all his hard work."