MORE than a week after clinching the most prestigious business prize in North and East Yorkshire, Fran Johnson of Pocklington Coachworks, Osbaldwick, says: "I still can't wipe the grin off my face."

Persistent phone calls of congratulation for scooping the overall title of Evening Press Business of the Year 2001 won't let him; nor will the continuing sense of triumph from his team of 72. Nor the magnificent painting-trophy by corporate artist David Fisher which now dominates his reception hall.

A roar of applause greeted the victory announcement at the glittering awards ceremony at York's Merchant Adventurers Hall.

It came after the firm, which builds magnificent trailers for Formula One racing teams also scooped the competition's Progress Through People Award; and after Mr Johnson himself was hailed as the Evening Press Business Personality of the Year.

"It couldn't have come at a more timely moment," says Mr Johnson.

That, he says, was because the firm's own awards ceremony at a Christmas function at the Pavilion Hotel, Fulford, the next day "suddenly took on an extra glow and gloss" with the painting trophy and certificates on display.

But also because a massive £2 million contract to build two hospitality trailers for Toyota is finally coming to fruition "and everyone working on it is on a new high."

The trailers are for the launch of the Panasonic Toyota Formula One Team, the new entrants into racing in 2002.

The luxury vehicles should be completed by January in time for the first European Grand Prix of the season in Imola, Italy next April.

The double trailers are linked together with a central glass atrium.

When travelling they are a mere four metres high but at rest jack up into a two-storey construction complete with VIP hospitality suite and office and lounge accommodation for Ove Anderson, president of Toyota Motorsport.

There is also a rest area for

drivers, complete with massage table and showers.

The completed trailers will be shipped to Toyota Motorsport HQ in Cologne in readiness for their use in April.

At the same time Pocklington Coachworks is building another two trailers for the Williams team in Wantage, Oxfordshire, also in readiness for the Imola racetrack in April plus a multi-million pound four trailer contract for McLaren.

That should be ready by May or June in time for use in the British Grand Prix in July.

Meanwhile engineering is also going on for a snazzy hospitality trailer for the British GSE Ducati World Superbikes team, which will include ace riders Neil Hodgson and James Toseland.