A HALTON CAB volunteer has scooped a national award after creating one of the best IT systems used by any organisation in the UK.

Panikos Panayi, pictured, an information technology volunteer at the CAB, was overall winner in the Best IT Project - Impact on Organisations category of the IT4Communities awards for his online referral system used by the charity.

Panikos was up against stiff competition, including a website to promote World Aids Day and a home-working system for charity volunteers.

But it was Halton CAB's online referral system that most impressed the panel.

The system took more than a year to develop and much of the work was done by Panikos.

The judges said: 'Panikos was instrumental in the development of a range of new services. His skills and commitment have changed how the organisation operates and delivered systems which are maintainable by the CAB.'

The CAB's online referral system is said to be the only one of its kind and helps the CAB track vulnerable people who need advice.

Agencies in Halton can register to use the system to log referrals via a secure website. The CAB then prioritises cases to ensure urgent cases are dealt with first. It also monitors response times.

Hitesh Patel, CAB Halton chief executive, said: 'I am absolutely delighted the CAB won this award and especially pleased for Panikos.

'We know how dedicated and committed our volunteers are but it is always nice when they get recognition from others.'