Max Holdstock, from Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, has been crowned AA's patrol of the year – the organisation's top accolade for its roadside patrols.

In his new role, he will spend the next 12 months as the ‘public face’ of the company, representing the UK’s biggest motoring organisation within the motor industry and before the media.

The judging began in February with regional heats across the UK and the five finalists were then put through intensive technical and driving tests, panel interview and mock live TV interviews at the AA’s training centre in Leicestershire.

Working at the roadside often demands improvisation. Holdstock once removed an old Land Rover’s starter motor that had seized in the engaged position and, to allow the member to continue their journey, he had to reconfigure the wiring as the starter and alternator share the same loom. He added: “The Landie was then bump-started to get the member home and it was a pleasing solution.

"Another job involved replacing a failed coil from one make of car with one from a completely different make, which I happened to have on the van.

"The coil itself was identical but the terminals and housing were different so it needed some modification to the wiring loom. But it was a neat solution that meant the delighted member could drive home.”

The AA awards were held at The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, South Wales.