Last updated 15:12, Thursday, 04 December 2008

Double Olympic gold medal rower James Cracknell helped three Cumbrian workers celebrate their success at the UK Skills Awards.

Winners: Kerryl Carter, Claire Redmayne and Danielle Vaughan, centre, after receiving their awards from James Cracknell, left, and Simon Bartley of UK Skills

Kerryl Carter, Claire Redmayne and Danielle Vaughan, who work for Amrstrong Watson accountants, were recognised for their success in a national accounting technician competition at the ceremony, at the IMax theatre in London.

The awards, sponsored by City & Guilds, were held to recognise gold medal winners in the WorldSkills UK Competition.

Mr Cracknell said: “To be a winner, whether in skills or in sports you need to have more than just talent to succeed.

“You need to work hard and just when you feel like you have had enough, you need to work just that little bit harder.

“Every person being awarded a gold medal has done just that and I would like to wish every one of them the very best success in the future.”

UK Skills is a not-for-profit organisation which champions skills and learning for work through competitions and awards.

Simon Bartley, chief executive of UK Skills said: “I am delighted to celebrate the achievements of these winners.

“Their success is testament to the hard work, dedication and passion they have for their subject. I hope their success inspires others to enter WorldSkills UK Competitions.”