ARDAGH Glass are celebrating a strong year for their apprentices, both in Irvine and further afield.

Mark McColl, 20, who works in the Irvine plant, took home the Ronnie Fergus Trophy at the Big Pie last month as this year’s Irvine Incorporated Trades Apprentice of the Year, while his colleagues Ally Bell and Scott Cairns both received certificates of merit.

That success caps a good year for the company’s apprentices, which also saw two apprentices from Irvine’s sister plant in Barnsley win prestigious awards.

Speaking at a recent visit to the Irvine plant, local MP Dr Philippa Whitford said: “My congratulations go to Ardagh Glass on their strong representation among the award winning apprentices at the 370th Annual Dinner of the Irvine Incorporated Trades. In particular it was great to see Mark McColl of Ardagh win Apprentice of the Year.

“I recognise the contribution made by Ardagh to the local economy, and this is a good opportunity for me to understand more clearly their business and some of the issues they face.”