An engineer from a specialist Bentley workshop near Bicester has scooped a prestigious award.

Catherine Ruff, who works at Bicester Heritage-based Kingsbury Racing Shop, has been named as Young Achiever at the Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards.

The judges applauded Ms Ruff's initiative in finding her own vacancy as a machinist with the Bentley specialist.

They hailed her as "almost entirely self-taught" and praised her for independently learning and developing her milling skills to include complex four-axis programming and operating.

She works primarily from 2D drawings and occasional models to recreate quality parts for vintage Bentleys, Bentley Motors continuation cars, and other racing cars.

The judges said: "Catherine symbolises everything that this award is designed for - awarding and promoting achievements in this category is key for keeping yesterday’s cars on tomorrow’s road and Catherine for sure is leading the charge - not only through inspiring other young achievers but also encouraging women to join the world of engineering."

The competition's Restoration category, sponsored by Bicester Heritage, saw a tie between two finalists.

The 1927 Bentley 3 Litre Boat Tail Speed Model, restored by Julian Parker Ltd, and Tip Top Engineering’s 1939 ERA E-Type GP2, both claimed the title.

The club said: "Both, in the opinion of the judging panel, have done supremely and brilliantly what - in their different ways - they set out to do."