A BOLTON man who had been unemployed before turning his life around has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Martin Ellison has been nominated for the Achiever of the Year 2000 run by the Rathbone charity.

The 36-year-old had not worked for six years before joining the charity's Basic Employability Programme which found him a place at Bolton Market Radio.

He worked so hard during his placement that the radio station offered him a permanent post and he now trains others to use sound systems.

Rathbone helps people with special educational or training needs to realise their full potential by encouraging them to develop new skills.

Mr Ellison will discover if he is the overall winner at a ceremony in Manchester tomorrow. .