VEHICLE technician Charlie Thompson, who works at Oak Tree Garage in Northallerton, has achieved nationally recognised accredited diagnostic technician status.

To achieve diagnostic technician status there is a significant programme of technical training that involves nine separate training sessions in Somerset – 540 mile round trip. The whole process can take up to three years to complete. After the training, Charlie had to undergo an arduous two-day assessment which took place at Technical Topics in Somerset.

It tested all the skills and knowledge required of a diagnostic technician, including complex system diagnostics, using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and equipment.

His next project starts in September, as he works towards master technician status, which would put him into the top five per cent of technicians nationwide.