WINDSCREEN fitter Anthony McCooey narrowly failed in his bid to represent the UK in an international competition.

Mr McCooey, 33, of Kendal, has repaired and replaced windscreens for Autoglass for 15 years.

He was one of ten fitters from across the country competing for a place at Eurofitter 2004 - which brings together company technicians from across Europe and a £1,500 prize.

Mr McCooey was judged on the quality and safety of his work at an event held at Sywell Aerodrome last week.

He said it was an honour to represent Kendal in the national final, which was won by a colleague from Coventry.

l SOME 70 delegates from across the country attended a two-day national conference of the Association of Chief Estates Surveyors and Property Managers in local government, held at the Belsfield Hotel, Bowness, at the end of last week.

Keynote speaker at the spring event for property professional in the public sector was David Henshaw, chief executive of Liverpool City Council.

The conference featured a number of guest speakers and a lake cruise on Windermere.