‘OVERWHELMED’ Kyra Varney has been named the west’s best young apprentice.

Eighteen-year-old Kyra, from Polperro, has been named young apprentice of the year at the Excellence in Business Training Awards 2018.

A former student at Cornwall College in St Austell, Kyra completed a level two hospitality apprenticeship whilst working at the Talland Bay Hotel, where she is now a restaurant supervisor.

She beat the other finalists to take the title at an awards ceremony at The Eden Project.

Hosted by CCB Training (Cornwall College Business) and sponsored by Pirate FM, the awards showcase businesses across the South West.

‘I really wasn’t expecting to win, but when I did I had mixed emotions,’ Kyra said.

‘I felt shocked, overwhelmed and so happy. I was also proud because I could say I came from Talland Bay Hotel, and to be able to say that meant a lot.’

Judge and sponsor Robert Black, chief executive of Cornwall Care, said it was clear that Kyra was doing something she was both committed to and really enjoying. He applauded her focus on delivering excellent customer service and concluded that ‘anyone with the commitment to learn about 72 gins, eight tonics and various garnishes is not going to let challenging academic work get in their way’.

‘The standard of nominations this year was exceptional,’ said Raoul Humphreys, chief executive of The Cornwall College Group. ‘Kyra and the other winners deserve particular praise for being recognised as the best in their category.’