WHAT do two receptionists, a membership sales adviser, a housekeeper, a barman and conference and banqueting assistant have in common?

The answer is they have all just successfully achieved National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) at levels Two and Three and all work for the Village Hotel in Bury.

The hotel has an excellent record of staff retention and this is partly due to their belief in training and career progression. General manager Steve Lee is delighted with his team's success.

He said: "Many of our staff will not have worked in the hotel industry before, so we always encourage them to train as they go along.

"National Vocational Qualifications are recognised throughout the UK as being the best route to provide skills and training and to help staff progress in their careers."

The employees who have gained the NVQ awards are Jody Brogden, Linda Austin, Chris O'Brien, Gemma Walsh and Daniel Wolstenholme.