PAUL Wheater has been promoted to sales controller at Colin Appleyard Motorcycles in Keighley.

He joined the company 13 years ago as a junior salesman.

“I’m really enjoying the extra responsibility of the new role and the challenges it brings,” he said.

“One of those challenges will be helping to sell the extra 140 used bikes we have taken on board following our acquisition of Bradford Motorcycles.”

Appleyard’s general manager, Kevin Feeny, said: “Paul has been rewarded for his commitment and loyalty and thoroughly deserves his promotion.”

In other moves at the Wellington Road motorbike shop, Chris Ogden has been appointed a junior salesman and Michael Hannon – who joined the company two years ago – is now specialising in off-road bike sales.

In the workshop, up-and-coming trials rider Kieran Childs has joined the firm as a trainee technician and is currently undertaking a Suzuki training course.