A NEWLY qualified driver at Arriva Trains Northern was celebrating this week after becoming the company's 200th train driver to complete his training.

Following one of the largest driver recruitment and training programmes ever seen in the rail industry, Graham Van Heeswyk qualified from Arriva's driving school.

He was presented with a certificate by Euan Cameron, managing director of Arriva Trains and Ray Price, managing director of Arriva Trains Northern, to mark the occasion.

Mr Van Heeswyk, 36, said: "I used to work in a factory as an acrylic moulder making plastic baths but after 16 years in the job I really wanted a change of direction.

"I saw that Arriva was looking for drivers and thought it could be the opportunity I was looking for - especially now that my children are grown up.