A FAMILY business in Brierfield is celebrating its centenary -- and looking forward to the next 100 years after scooping an award.

James Henry Blakey founded picture dealing, framing and restoration store JH Blakey with his wife Mary in 1905 and the business, now based in Burnley Road, is still going strong.

His successor William Neville Blakey expanded the business into locksmiths, ironmongery and safe engineering and now it has become a Chubb Locks Centre of Excellence -- one of only six in the country.

Current manager and James' grandson, Norman, is delighted with the success.

Norman said: "This award is the icing on the cake to help us celebrate reaching 100 years trading in Brierfield. We are committed to developing our products and services to customers to hopefully ensure another successful 100 years.

"We are proud to have been recognised for our expertise by Chubb Locks, with whom we have always had a close working relationship."

JH Blakey began business in Colne Road and expanded to include workshop space in Tunstill Square and later the old school in Church Street.

William, now 92, still regularly attends the office and the business moved to the former Methodist school rooms in Burnley Road in 1992.

The building itself is one of the most historic in Brierfield and was claimed to be the finest schoolroom building in the north of England with the public flocking to view its construction in 1885.

When JH Blakey took over, the building former prime minister Sir Edward Heath accepted an invitation to play the organ.

Chubb Locks centres of excellence are chosen because they offer a package to consumers for all their security needs.