A GARAGE in Torfaen was recognised as having the best independent repairs workshop in Wales for the second year running.

Broad Street Motors in Abersychan also won the top independent garage in Wales gong awarded by the regulatory body Motor Codes last year.

Earlier this year, garage boss John Rees said winning the UK award was a “great achievement” after taking over the premises left “in a mess” in 2008.

The Abersychan dad said that the back of the garage was like a scrap yard and the MOT yard had been taken out.

But within years he and his technicians were able to raise the profile of the fifties workshop and of the independent garage trade at large.

The UK garage of the year award was presented at the prestigious Auto Express Car of the Year Awards in London on June 30.

Motor Codes, the government-approved garage scheme, revealed that Crescent Motoring from Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire had scooped the overall UK award.

Garages from across the UK regions participated in a three-month-long round of customer nominations.

Motor Codes MD Mark Terry said: “Motor Codes garages are providing first-class service to motorists right across the UK, and we’re delighted to have this opportunity to celebrate the best in the business.”