IT'S party time at New Business of the Year Daisy Communications.

The Nelson telecommunications firm claimed the prestigious award - and operations director Tony Dixon said there will be some celebrating at the firm.

He said: "We are absolutely delighted. First thing on Monday morning we will have a big announcement and no doubt there will be a big party somewhere!"

Daisy Communications, based at the Lomeshaye Business Village, is a BT wholesale service provider supplying telecommunications services to business and industry throughout the UK.

Since it was established in June 2001, following the de-regulation of BT, the company has expanded dramatically and now employs 85 people in contract processing, telesales, customer services and installations.

The company processes more than five million business telephone calls per month and has established a customer base of more than 6,000 businesses.

Tony said the title of New Business of the Year will do nothing but good for the company's growing reputation and stature.

And he put all the credit down to the company's workforce.

He said: "It's recognition for all the hard work that all the staff in Daisy have put in in the last couple of years.

"It's not for the directors, it's for everybody who works for Daisy.

"Without the staff we wouldn't be where we are now.

"We have a fantastic workforce and I am really pleased for all of them.

"We really believe in keeping the work structure as flat as possible."

Daisy prides itself on staff training after achieving Investors in People award in April 2003 and has several employees engaged in NVQ and management training.

The company also employs two graduate management trainees and provides placements for college and university students.

Tony added: "The workforce are not really workers, they are good friends.

"It's all about communication in the workforce.

"If that is not right, then we are not going to be much good at communicating in the big wide world."