ONE local company is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a series of prize draws for customers.

As a thank-you to clients old and new, Lowgate Garage Limited in Sutton will be holding a £100 cash prize draw as well as the chance to win a free MoT test every month in 2012.

Emma Wells, who owns the company along with her husband Robert, said: "Every customer who books in an MoT, service or any work worth over £50 will automatically receive a raffle ticket.

"Winners will be drawn at the beginning of each month in 2012."

One lucky customer is already £100 better off, thanks to Lowgate's anniversary prize draw in January.

Hammer thrower Alex Smith, of Sutton, was presented with his cheque earlier this month.

He said: "It was great news when I found out I had won.

"I had been given three tickets for booking in a service and having a bit of work done and it felt really good to get a bit of money back from a garage.

"This was the second time I had been to Lowgate Garage and I would definitely go again and would recommend it to friends, especially as there are 11 other chances to win this year."

Lowgate Garage is a well-established, family orientated business that puts its enduring success down to years of honest and approachable customer service.

The company offers MoTs, servicing, repairs and diagnostics on all cars, including brand new cars still under warranty. Lowgate also caters for class 4 vans and commercial vehicles, so you can be sure your motor will be in safe hands.

Robert and Emma Wells bought the company three years ago from Robert's father, John Wells, and the company still maintains a strong connection with its original owners, as the current bookkeeper, Elaine, is the daughter of Ron Loftus, who first bought the company with his business partner Bryan Deighton, five decades ago.

One of the company's regular customers has his own unique connection to the business, too.

Stephen Worner worked as a draughtsman for JT Scotney and, in 1975-76 was responsible for drawing up the plans for the new building after the previous one had been demolished.

Four years ago he brought his own car into the company following a recommendation and he has been a satisfied, regular customer ever since.

He said: "I've always had good service from Lowgate Garage and that's why I keep going back."

And with 50 years of successful trading comes a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Robert has more than 20 years in the industry and the whole team at Lowgate have honed their skills working on all makes and models of vehicles.

Training is of key importance to the company and it has regularly taken on apprentices through the Group Training Association. As well as hands-on work placements in the garage for apprentice mechanics, Lowgate also works with schools to provide work experience in the office.

Emma said: "It's about giving young people a chance. They've got to start somewhere and even on the three-week placements, they get the experience of having to get to work on time every day and that discipline of being in the world of work.

"If their attitude is right and they are focused, they will learn. We have staff who started with us as apprentices and are now fully qualified.

"To see them develop in that time is really good."

Reaching its 50th anniversary is certainly a huge achievement for the firm and the team are certainly not resting on their laurels. Emma and Robert recently extended the land around the business to provide its own private car park and they are looking ahead to a bright future for the company.

Emma said: "We would like to say a big thank you to our customers and suppliers for supporting us over the years and for their support for our 50th anniversary."

If you want to be in with a chance of winning £100 in cash, or a free MoT test, simply book in with Lowgate Garage for a service or repair worth more than £50 and you too could be celebrating in 2012.

For more information call 01482 374 623 or visit www.lowgategarage.co.uk