AFTER a nine-month struggle to find work Iain Houston has picked up a top award on behalf of his new employer.

Now a trainee supervisor at the Scotia Bar, the 24-year-old took to the stage of the Grand Central Hotel with manager Hannah Tallis to collect a gold Best Bar None award.

Iain, who is from Castlemilk, was helped into the hospitality industry by charity Springboard which helps young people achieve their potential and helps unemployed people of any age into jobs.

He said: "I had never considered a career in hospitality before getting involved with Springboard but their training and placement made me aware of the possibilities and now I love my job.

"I am training to be a supervisor and there is scope for further progression within the company."

A record 89 premises entered this year's Best Bar None awards which recognises work done to enhance public safety and customer care by licensed premises in the city.

A total of 74 gold awards and 14 silver awards were handed out with one premises collecting a bronze.

The overall gold award winners were the Garage, Strathclyde University students' union, the Crystal Palace, the Mailcoach, McNabbs, Croft bar and restaurant and the Blythswood Hotel.

The winner of the People's Choice award was the Piper Bar with runners up The Dram and 26 Hope Street.

Eleanor Lee of Community Safety Glasgow which runs the awards, said: "We have had a record number of entries and the highest number of gold awards achieved so far.

"This testifies to all the training and hard work being done in premises in the city.

"Guests at the ceremony were very generous and raised a large donation for Springboard. All the winners were worthy but it is especially heartening to hear Iain's story and how he is doing so well at the Scotia, thanks to Springboard."

Best Bar None Glasgow's partners include the city council, Glasgow City Alcohol and Drug Partnership, Community Safety Glasgow, drinks companies, the Scottish Business Resilience Centre, Safer Scotland, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

The scheme gives licensed premises a change to demonstrate their venue operates to the high standards customers expect.