A NEWPORT delivery driver has triumphed in a gruelling test of lorry drivers from across the UK's skill.

Dave Smith, 46, from Newport, was crowned ASDA driver of the year, beating off competition from more than 50 other heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers from the supermarket’s depots around the country.

Mr Smith, who has been based at ASDA’s Chepstow depot since 2007, first had to tackle 32 questions on European and UK highway’s law in just 20 minutes, before heading out to take on tests such as navigating through cones, breaking into a specified area and reversing his lorry down an incredibly narrow alleyway. To test whether the drivers had reversed accurately there was a piece of paper stuck to the wall which they had to be able to collect from the cab window.

As a result of his win, Mr Smith will now enjoy use of a brand new Scania lorry for a year.

Mr Smith’s success in the final meant the Chepstow team have now won the competition for the second year in a row, after Steve Morgan was victorious in last year’s event.

Mandy Chambers, event co-ordinator at the depot, said: "Everybody is absolutely delighted with Dave’s win. We would like to thank Trevor Harris the depot trainer and instructor and all the volunteers who give up their own time to make the event possible."