CRAVEN employees of Skipton Building Society have been recognised at the company's annual Star Awards ceremony.

Hundreds attended the event at the Harrogate International Centre, where Stuart Blenkhorn, from Earby,

Marc Stewart, from Appletreewick,

Kim Jansen, from Embsay and Anthony Scott, from Skipton, all picked up awards, and each beating off opposition from hundreds of their colleagues.

Mr Blenkhorn, who works in the building society's digital department, was the winner of the Rachel Fawcett Building a Better Society award. He was the first to win the award after it was renamed in memory of the former chief human resources officer Rachel Fawcett, who died in September.

Mr Blenkhorn, who has worked for the building society for 15 years and is a former employee of the year, said: “Being nominated and shortlisted in itself was fantastic as any recognition always goes a long way. To be in a category with such strong other nominees meant that I was very shocked but absolutely delighted to be named the inaugural winner of such a special award.

Married, and with three children, he is a member of the band, Uncle Frank, and is due to release his first solo album later this year.

Mr Stewart was named leader of the year for his motivation and enthusiasm, and has worked for the company for about eight years.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be recognised for the work the team and I have put in over the last few years to form good relationships, good communication and real sense of pride in what we have achieved together," he said.

Ms Jansen was named Colleague of the Year after being nominated for taking 'full ownership for everything she does' and often working long hours. She has worked in the finance department for seven years.

“When I first found out I had been nominated for a star award, I felt very emotional, I love my work colleagues and it’s so great to know that they think I’m doing a good job.

“When my name was announced I went into total shock. I am so grateful to win such an amazing award and it’ll spur me on to work even harder this coming year," she said.

Mr Scott, was named winner of the Trusted Colleague award for his help to the company's branch network across the country, and has been an employee for eight years.

“I feel overwhelmed, privileged and honoured to receive the Trusted Colleague award. I always strive to be supportive and sociable towards my colleagues but I never thought I would win an award for this. I just love being part of a team that is supporting the Society in striving to become a high performing organisation.”