TAVISTOCK-based Focsa Services (UK) Ltd have been awarded a trophy for being the best people development company at a special awards ceremony to mark the Excellence Awards held at South Devon College.

Tony Milton, contract manager who operates for and on behalf of West Devon Borough Council, collected the award from college vice-principal Pat Denham.

The company, which has invested heavily in training more than 40 of their refuse collection staff to ensure that safety procedures are a good as they can be at their two depots in Tavistock and Okehampton, beat off strong competition from the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust, Ivybridge, and Torquay's Grosvenor Hotel (Devon Coast Holidays) to take the award.

Mr Milton said: 'Our industry, though highly desirable, is one that doesn't excite a lot of interest unless everything does not go to plan. This is a great honour and a great acknowledgement of the hard work all my staff have put in.'

The competition, run as part of South Devon Global Entrepreneurship Week, was attended by the shadow minister for business, John Penrose MP, and saw 30-short-listed companies whittled down to 10 winners.

Mr Penrose said: 'Awards like these have real value. They give something for business to aim for.'