Acting above and beyond the call of duty to help a sick tenant has resulted in electrician Matthew Hill being crowned South Lanarkshire Council Employee of the Year 2008.

Matthew, 23, from Coatbridge, was hailed as 'the pride of South Lanarkshire' by event host, broadcaster Kaye Adams on Thursday August 28.

And to the cheers of 250 guests at the awards ceremony in the council's banqueting hall in Hamilton, Matthew picked up a glass trophy from the Leader of South Lanarkshire Council, Councillor Eddie McAvoy.

Matthew works for Housing and Technical Resources at the council's special business unit in Pollock Avenue, Hamilton.

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When he arrived at a house of an elderly lady to carry out a repair and got no answer Matthew became concerned.

He had been before and knew she was not in good health. Rather than put a card through the door to say he called but could not get access he went to neighbours to ask about her.

As he explained: "The tenant knew I was coming and when neighbours said they had not seen her I became anxious for her safety."

Matthew managed to force entry to the house where he found the lady ill in bed. She had been unable to get up to eat or drink for two days.

"I called the emergency services and relatives and the lady was taken to hospital for treatment.

"I was surprised my colleagues nominated me as I was only doing my job. I was more concerned for her than anything else; I was just relieved she was OK. I telephoned the ward to check on her and was glad that she was on the mend.

"Winning the Employee of the Year Award is brilliant."

(GK/JM)