A West Cumbrian motor dealer has won its second major award for its aftersales service in six months.

J Edgar & Son, which has dealerships at Dunmail Park, Workington and Rowrah, won the Best Aftersales Team accolade at the AM Awards, organised by industry bible Automotive Management.

It follows its success at the Motor Trader Awards in the aftersales excellence category.

Tony Hodgson, aftersales manager at J Edgar & Son, said: "It was very unexpected. If you've won one award, it's very unusual to win another one for the same category. Being nominated was enough, so to find out we'd won the AM Award was brilliant."

The family-run firm, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, won the awards for the way it had taken its workshop into the 21st century.

It was one of the first dealerships to invest in a digital platform to manage customers from booking to collection, using the latest technology to make a service a much smoother experience for its clients.

Technology is also used in the workshop, with technicians using tablet computers and digital displays to show deadlines. It increased workshop efficiency.

It also redeployed members of staff in its aftersales team to draw on their strengths and improve the dealership's service to its customers.

It employs 16 people in its aftersales team across both its sites.

Steve Johnston has been appointed as service manager and Lindsay Parker, Katie Ivison and Sue Grima were given specific roles in the aftersales team based on their skills.

Tony said: "We worked as a team and all of us are empowered to make suggestions and decisions. We have confidence in all our staff to make the right decisions and they do."

Tony added one of the firm's strengths was its commitment to investing in its staff.

Many employees have worked there for more than 10 years.

He added: "It was amazing to be recognised at both these award ceremonies as we were up against some big franchises and major groups.

"We are extremely proud of all our team and the work they have put in to improving our service."