Story originally posted on1 April 2010.

A Birmingham parking attendant’s “selfless dedication” has been recognised with a top honour at the British Parking Awards, which recognises excellence in the UK parking sector.

Mohammed Farooq, who works as a parking host for Q-Park at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in the car park which serves the hospital’s cancer clinics, was Parking Person of the Year.

Mr Farooq has been working for Q-Park since 2008 and has received a huge number of compliments for his friendly and polite manner.

The radiotherapy car park is often busy and spaces are in high demand. Mr Farooq’s role, along with welcoming patients and checking passes and permits, has been to remain calm and manage any potential problems and ensure the experience is as smooth as possible.

The Parking Person of the Year award recognises individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty and make an outstanding contribution in their work. Regular visitors to the hospital can testify to Farooq’s consistently positive attitude and respectful manner, in the face of sometimes difficult circumstances, and the relationship he has built up with them.

The father of four, who lives in Walsall, has been widely praised for making the arrival and stays of patients, their families and loved ones as stress-free as possible. Last year he was nominated for a Best in Care Award in recognition of his contribution to the hospital, and has been praised by both staff and patients for his work.

He said: “I was extremely excited to even be nominated and it’s extremely nice to get some recognition and achieve something at work. I wouldn’t have got it without the support of the patients and my colleagues. The patients I help have enough problems as it is and I try to take as much of the burden by being as pleasant as I can and making them feel welcome.”

Chris Morris, Q Park’s site manager at the Queen Elizabeth, said: “We have had so many letters and phonecalls commending him. The way he deals with people and his warmth and compassion are second to none. His selfless dedication to his job makes him stand out and I can’t think of anyone who deserves this award more.”

Impressionist Jon Culshaw was in attendance to present the award to Farooq in front of an audience of more than 500 people at the Intercontinental Hotel in London.