BUSINESS manager Geoff Taylor has won an award for the way in which he has helped out at a York tourist attraction.

Mr Taylor, who runs his own business called Resource, volunteered his skills and time as part of a scheme called Arts and Business Yorkshire, which matches business people with organisations that need their help and advice.

He has been helping with the running of Barley Hall, the restored medieval town house, off Stonegate, which is looked after by a trust and funded through ticket sales and donations.

It has one paid member of staff, Sophie Foster, and several volunteers.

Sophie said Mr Taylor had been helping out for nearly two years and she had nominated him for the award.

"We are preparing to launch a fundraising appeal for more than £85,000 to refurnish our two upstairs rooms," she said.

"We wanted to draw up a five-year plan we could present to donors and Geoff has helped us do this. Geoff has put in a lot of time and effort and we are pleased that his hard work has been rewarded. He is an exceptional person."

Geoff, who donned appropriately medieval costume for our photocall, was awarded £500 after coming second in the Skills Bank Award for Regional Adviser of the Year.

He has requested his prize goes towards the cost of a piece of furniture for the new refurnishing project.

The award was part of the Creative Learning Champions Awards 2001, held in Leeds.

Updated: 11:57 Tuesday, January 29, 2002