HARRY and Barry Turner, joint managing directors of the Brookhouse Group of Companies, proudly presented long service awards to five employees of the Darwen-based business.

Awards were given to Ethel Boothman, Alan Hindle, Stephen Thomas, Tommy Grimshaw and Neil Farrel for their commitment and dedication to the firm over the last 20 years.

Barry said: "Back in the early days around 1974 to '77 there were just 15 or 16 of us at the Shorrock Lane site.

"A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then and we have increased gradually the number of sites and, of course, the number of employees.

"We saw one of our biggest ventures two years ago which was to move everyone from the different sites into India Mill at Darwen and throughout the group we now total 380 employees.

"Through all the turmoil and excitement of growth these people have been with us every step of the way."

Brookhouse recently acquired the SPD Group of companies, saving 180 jobs in the North West.

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