He taught London 2012 Paralympic Games wheelchair racing champion Hannah Cockroft how to drive a car.

Now veteran Huddersfield driving instructor Bob Butterworth has a trophy of his own.

Bob, 66, has won the top award of national driving instructor’s union, the Motor Schools Association.

He was announced as the surprise winner of the John William Peek Memorial Trophy at the association’s annual conference.

Bob, who has been helping the learner drivers of Huddersfield and beyond get their licences since 1976, won the award for his work as deputy treasurer and social secretary for the north east region.

He said the honour was one of the best things to happen in his career.

“They shouted my name out at the national conference and I was amazed because I didn’t expect it,” he said.

“I’ve got a big trophy which I get to keep for 12 months, a certificate and a big bottle of bubbly.”

Bob, who hails from Marsh, specialises in teaching disabled drivers and has one of the few fully converted learner cars in Yorkshire.

He helped Halifax world record holder and gold medallist Hannah Cockroft pass her test first time, along with many other members of the London 2012 paralympic squad such as the wheelchair basketball team.

And despite being eligible for his pension fund, Bob said he had no plans to park his learner car permanently and enjoy a quiet retirement.

“I just enjoy teaching so much,” he said.

“Especially the disabled drivers as they’re so enthusiastic about learning as it provides a new level of freedom for them.

“I love the job so much so I’m just going to carry on until the telephone stops ringing.”

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