Thatcham digger operator overwhelmed with win at national competition

A Thatcham man has reached the finals of a national plant operator competition.

Mark Palmer-Broughton reached the top nine and was in the final of the UK Plant Operator of the Year awards.

The digger operator – of On Your Marks Plant Hire - travelled up to Norfolk to the National College of Construction in Bircham Newton.

It was here that he and other digger operators took on a number of industry-related challenges – each with a £250 prize.

Mr Palmer-Broughton took part in the Grapple Grab challenge and won the contest out of 60 finalists.

Though he didn’t bag the overall £10,000 prize – which went to the winner of the entire competition – he said it was amazing to reach the top nine.

“I was overwhelmed to win the grab challenge,” he said.

“It reduced me to tears to win such a substantial prize and the £250 cash.

“I will be entering again next year and my aim is to win it.

“Third time lucky, with a top prize of twenty thousand pounds.”

Last year the plant operator of 16 years came third in the competition.