Lorna Hayes, a team PA who works at Swindon Borough Council, reached the finals of the Office Angels Executary of the Year award.

She was the regional winner, beating thousands of entries from the south and south west region but was just pipped at the final post.

Lorna, who is 23 and lives at Coleview, was nominated by her boss Andrew Hamer at the council.

"Lorna supported two extremely busy teams," said Andrew. "She is full of enthusiasm, very organised and extremely efficient dealing with a huge variety of different tasks and customers."

Although she did not win the finals, Lorna has been promoted at work and is now a capital and asset project officer for the council.

She joined the council after graduating from Bath University.

"I was really pleased to have won the regional heat and it was great to hear such kind words from my colleagues," said Lorna.

"I really enjoy working at the council."

The established Executary Award scheme, now in its ninth year, was created by Office Angels to recognise and reward the crucial role played by PAs and team secretaries in today's corporate world.

Office Angels coined the term executary to describe the increased responsibilities of senior PAs and team secretaries, and highlight the variety of skills and responsibilities they employ.

The scheme continues to showcase secretarial excellence, while giving managers the chance to show their assistants just how much they appreciate them.

Lorna won a personal organiser, purse and accessory case from Filofax, sponsors of the Executary of the Year Awards, She was also taken to London where she went to the Ivy restaurant for dinner.