CHESHIRE businesses have been rewarded for excellent practice in employing disabled or disadvantage people.

Overall winner of The Cheshire Positive Awards for Business 2010, at a ceremony at The Queen Hotel, was The Countess of Chester hospital voluntary service.

The service provides many people with the first step towards achieving employment through the voluntary opportunities it provides for nearly 300 people.

Businesses and voluntary organisations alike were recognised for the excellent practice they have demonstrated in the recruitment, employment, training and work opportunities provided to disabled and disadvantaged people who often face major barriers in securing employment.

Councillor Herbert Manley, Executive Member for Prosperity which includes Regeneration, said: “Cheshire West and Chester Council is proud of working so closely to help find job opportunities for disabled or disadvantaged people with employers who value the commitment they make to the workforce.

“The awards ceremony shows the commitment local businesses have to Cheshire West and Chester Council's Employment Development programmes and competition continues to grow for the categories involved.”

CWAC’s employment development manager, Jane Stanley-McCrave, added: “The aim of the awards is to continue to raise the profile of disabled and long term unemployed people and highlight the benefits they bring to the local economy by being in work.

“It makes good business sense to employ local people who face barriers to employment, if a business is to become truly representative of the community in which it is based.

“Furthermore, people who are in work enjoy better health and well being and can feel a sense of purpose.”