A leading Blackburn home care provider rewarded staff at a special celebration to mark their 25th anniversary.

Choice Care is based at Blackburn Enterprise Centre and was established in 1999 by Andrew Key.

To celebrate, directors Fiona and Andrew Key treated staff to a sumptuous dinner at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel.

The event also saw the company present their annual awards for Newcomer of the Year, Service User Choice and Carer of the Year.

The honours were handed out by The Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Cllr Jacqui Slater and Mrs Lilian Salton.

Carers were also recognised for their long service. The longest service award of 20 years went to Mini Patel, who was named Carer of the Year at the national Great British Care Awards in 2017.

Fiona and Andrew said: “We would like to thank everyone who attended and all our amazing staff for their wonderful efforts.”

Andrew added: "Over the last 25 years we have seen community care move from an unregulated cottage industry to an integrated and regulated profession, upon which an increasing number of people have come to rely.

"The sector has been driven by the need to change and is being led by companies like Choice Care in developing services to include more things that once were the exclusive remit of nurses."

Jack, Fiona and Andrew cutting the 25th anniversary cakeSome of the staff had previously completed a skydive to raise money for the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA).

They raised a total of £600 through their efforts and this was presented on the evening to Dave Eastham who is the support coordinator for the Spinal Injuries Association.

 ‘The Voice’ contender Nathan Grisdale entertained guests on the night.

Choice Care is owned by Key Horizons Limited which in turn is owned by Fiona Key, Andrew Key, James Key and Jack Key.

From its base at Blackburn Enterprise Centre, Choice Care provides domiciliary care (homecare) for adults and children across the Blackburn and Lancashire areas through Social Services, NHS and on a private basis.

This includes providing personal care, shopping, cleaning, help with medication and making meals.