FIRST Great Western’s star employee, Wayne Spence, has been presented with an MBE for going the extra mile for passengers.

Bristol Temple Meads platform supervisor Wayne was honoured in the New Year Honours list following 28 years of service to the trans-port industry.

Wayne is also the current winner of the ‘Do You Know a Star’ competition, in which thousands of customers vote for their favourite member of FGW who they felt deserved a customer service award.

As platform supervisor, he provides regular detailed information for passengers and has even been known to track them down in the station café to update them on service changes.

“Computers are okay when everything is running fine, but when things go wrong, especially when trains are being swapped around, you need people to help and advise passengers,” said Wayne, who is also a keen railway artist.

“That’s when I really come into my own. Lots of customers have been passing on their congratulations. It’s quite a boost to me and First Great Western,”

First Great Western’s managing director, Mark Hopwood, said: “Wayne is a shining example to all of us at First Great Western and it is fantastic to see his efforts rewarded in this way.”