A TYRE fitter who almost gave up her job is celebrating after scooping a top national award.

Susannah Tait was crowned Apprentice Tyre Technician of the Year at the Tyre Industry Awards last month.

East Lothian Courier: Susannah Tait has defeated people from around the country to be crowned Apprentice Tyre Technician of the Year

The 21-year-old, who grew up near Hailes Castle, was up against 15 rivals from across the UK at the awards ceremony in Milton Keynes.

Susannah, who works for Soltyre in East Linton, told the Courier about her shock at winning the prize.

She said: “Before I went I thought, ‘If I don’t win, I don’t win’ and that I was there for the company.

“I got there, had the dinner and I started to get more nervous.

“There were loads of different awards and they started announcing them all.

“Every finalist goes up and then they announce the winner.

“I was the last on the stage and they took a group photograph and then announced the winner.

“The photograph proves I was confused and did not expect to win! I was standing there in utter shock but when I got the photograph taken everybody congratulated me and I felt really proud.”

East Lothian Courier: Susannah Tait has defeated people from around the country to be crowned Apprentice Tyre Technician of the Year

The former Yester Primary School and Knox Academy pupil started working for Soltyre three years ago, after taking up an apprenticeship in tyre fitting.

However, her success has come following a surprising change of career.

Susannah, who described the move as “the best thing I have ever done”, is a qualified nursery practitioner but left the job in May 2021.

She admitted the change in career was not seamless and said: “At first, I am not going to lie, it was the toughest thing I have ever done. I just found it really tough and I had never done anything like this before.

“It took about six months to kick in and know what I was doing. Since then, I seem to have progressed a lot more.”

Now, not only can Susannah – who has a partner, Scott Aris – change car tyres but also truck and tractor tyres.

Her talent stood out on a training course, which saw her put forward for the award.

Customer testimonials then impressed those responsible for handing over the prize.

She was hopeful that her success would also inspire other women to take a step into the industry.

She said: “If you enjoy it, so what?

“Everybody needs to take that step and just do it. You never know until you try it.

“I never knew I would enjoy this and be here three years later.”