A PLUMBING and heating engineer from Cardross has been presented with a special award by a trade body in recognition of more than 40 years of experience in the industry.

Preston Fleming received the Merit Award from SNIPEF – the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation –at the organisation’s recent annual meeting.

Preston is the third generation of the Fleming clan to head up the family firm, and has served as director and local president of SNIPEF’s local association for Glasgow and the west of Scotland.

He also served as SNIPEF’s national president in 2011, and was instrumental in setting up the Plumbing Industry Licensing Scheme in 2002.

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SNIPEF chief executive Fiona Hodgson said: “I’m very proud to present Preston with the SNIPEF Merit Award.

“He is an extremely deserving recipient who has made an enormous contribution to the industry, and continues to do so.

“His passion for the industry is evident, as is his dedication and commitment to sharing his knowledge and working to improve the industry.

“This award recognises the high standards and professionalism he has maintained throughout his career.”

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George Thomson, of Shower Doctor Ltd in Edinburgh, was also presented with a Merit Award.

Introduced in 2009, the SNIPEF Merit Award is awarded to individuals or organisations who have given exceptional service to SNIPEF and the wider plumbing industry, and is decided by the trade body’s office bearers.

And the merit award may not be the only accolade coming the company’s way this year: Preston also received word this week that the firm had been shortlisted in the Scotland Regional Energy Efficiency Awards for 2019, taking place at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in Glasgow city centre this Friday.