A COLNE Valley landscape gardening company has won the Investors in People award.

The award was presented to husband and wife team Nick and Nicky Dunn, who run The Home Work and Garden Co Ltd at Marsden.

Investors in People rewards organisations showing commitment to staff training.

Mr Dunn said: "Having already recognised a real skill shortage in our industry, we very quickly realised how Investors would benefit our employees, our business and our customers."

The company received advice and support from West Yorkshire Business Link and the Construction Industry Training Board.

Now it is working in conjunction with Huddersfield Technical College and the Kirklees Council-led Build construction industry initiative to train and develop its existing staff and recruit and support at least one apprentice every year.

The Dunns set up their company less than five years ago - working from their spare bedroom. Now the firm employs 16 full-time staff, has projected sales of £1m this year and runs a fleet of eye-catching silver vans.