A YORK careers advice service has scooped a prestigious award for excellence.

Future Prospects, based in Swinegate, received the honour at a ceremony in London.

Actress Maureen Lipman presented the organisation with one of 11 matrix Excellence Awards, in recognition of its outstanding work in the local community.

The acting manager of Future Prospects, Andrew Cambridge, said: "I am very proud of the staff team. They thoroughly deserve this accolade for their efforts in building Future Prospects up to be the fantastic service that it is.

"It makes you feel very special when government ministers come up to you and say that you are a credit to York. I hope that people in our city see this award as an award for them."

The 40-strong team at Future Prospects offers free and impartial advice to York residents seeking work or learning opportunities. The organisation was set up 12 years ago as a joint venture by City of York Council and York College, and has developed into a centre providing independent advice. It now holds its own courses in its Swinegate offices, and runs outreach work in York communities and with groups of people facing redundancy. It also supports the homeless and people with disabilities.

The matrix Excellence Awards were launched this year by the Department for Education and Skills to showcase the country's best information and advice providers. The 11 winners had to demonstrate the impact their service had on individuals.

Minister for Skills and Vocational Education, Ivan Lewis, who joined Maureen Lipman in presenting the awards, said: "It is always a pleasure for a minister to be involved in the celebration of success, and doubly so when the benefits mean individuals and organisations in the United Kingdom are given the opportunity for self-improvement and development."

Maureen Lipman said the staff at Future Prospects should be very proud of what they had achieved.

She said: "Everyone needs good quality information, advice and guidance at some time during his or her life to help them make better and more informed decisions about learning and his or her career. The matrix Excellence Awards recognise those organisations that have made a real difference."

For more details about Future Prospects phone 01904 634748 or 0800 834239.

Updated: 10:50 Saturday, October 16, 2004