Technicians will be able to take an online test in order to qualify for the heats of the 2009 Top Technician competition from October 1.

The winner will win the title of Top Technician 2009 and a prize package worth £10,000.

Mark Banks, of Holmer Green Service Centre in High Wycombe, was the UK’s Top Technician in 2008.

The first 250 entrants each receive a free poster to display in their customer reception which proclaims "We are in the running for Top Technician 2009".

Those who score highest in the online test will be invited to benchmark their knowledge with a series of practical tests aligned to diagnostic level Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA).

Finalists will be invited to take part in the live finals, during Workshop 2009 at the NEC in Birmingham from April 28-30 in 2009.

Technicians can be nominated - or can nominate themselves - via the competition web site www.toptechnician.co.uk. All entrants will be sent details of how to access the online test.