Katie Ellis, who works in the Council's Community Protection Department, was coached by another member of Council staff, Customer Service Advisor, Eileen Clare, and spent a year studying for the Award.

In her final assessment by the ICS, Katie was said to have, “delivered excellent customer service which had a positive impact on her colleagues and organisation.”

Earlier in the year Ashfield District Council became the first local authority in the UK to be granted the Institute of Customer Services' Service Mark Accreditation – acknowledgement that the service provided to customers is first class.

Katie Ellis (right) with her trainer, Eileen Clare.