Now in its 18th year, this annual competition sets out to find the driver who has gone the ‘extra mile' for his or her customers, or who has done something way beyond their normal duties. Sponsored by OAMPS Hazardous Industries, this prestigious award carries a £1000 winner's prize and two runner-up prizes of £250 each.

Dawn Shakespeare, FPS marketing and events manager said: 'If the standard of last year's entries was anything to go by, we are going to have a hard task to decide on the winner for this year's awards. These awards recognise the high standards being set by drivers in the UK and Ireland and we hope the awards will continue to encourage oil distributors to promote an ethos of safe driving, cleaner deliveries and outstanding customer care to create more drivers capable of winning this award.'

Last year's winner was Darren Gilham from Certas' Ashford depot, who also achieved the accolade back in 2006. Meanwhile, Chris Brooks of NWF/Evesons Fuels, Kenilworth Depot and Clifford Tappin of Lovell Fuels, Aylesbury were awarded runner up prizes. 

The competition rules mean that only companies who are members of the FPS may submit nominations for drivers who have been employed by the company since the start of 2017. The competition is also limited to one entry per depot. In addition, the nominated driver must have had an incident free year with no accidents or spillages in 2017.

The closing date for entries is March 1 2018 and each shortlisted candidate will be interviewed in March, with the winner being announced in April.

Nomination forms for the Driver Of The Year Award 2018 and further information are available by emailing ds@fpsonline.co.uk