LIFE assurance and pensions giant Friends Provident of Salisbury has a member of staff in the running for a top award.

Margaret Johnson, who works in the company's call centre, is through to the final of the National Customer Service awards.

Liz Boulton of Friends Provident's Individual Customer Services said: "We want to become famous for the level of service we provide to our customers.

"One of the ways we are going about proving just how good we are is to put ourselves forward for national awards. Margaret's getting through to the final is a huge achievement, as the awards get thousands of entries, so we are extremely proud of her.

"She had to do a short presentation to the panel of judges."

The winner will be announced at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on September 30.

Ms Boulton added: "For the third year running we have been named as one of the best work places in the UK."