PLANT display company Dodsworth, based near Boroughbridge, scooped two prestigious titles in the north-east final of this year's National Business Awards.

The company, headed by husband-and-wife team Simon and Julie Dodsworth, took the Award for Outstanding People Development, while Julie won the Orange Award for Bright Business at the Palace Hotel, in Manchester.

it is the second time the firm's record of ten years with zero staff turnover has been recognised with a major accolade. Last year it won the Progress Through People award in the Evening Press Business of the Year competition.

The green-fingered team from Cundall, blossomed against hardy opposition from larger companies such as Telewest Broadband, 2Touch and Arriva Trains Northern.

In the end, it was Dodsworth's innovative people development strategies that won it a place in the national final at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, on November 9.

In their citation judges stated: "The Dodsworth staff have rewritten the rules on how they can help each other improve their learning and customer service skills. The system works on trust and continued reaffirmation of their belief in their customers, their service and themselves."

Dodsworth provides living plant displays for Premiership football clubs and companies as varied as Nestl UK and the BBC.

Updated: 09:34 Tuesday, July 20, 2004