SIX members of staff at Brecknell Willis in Chard have been presented with awards in recognition of their 25 years’ service to the company.

Bob Adams, Andrew Hales, Norman Hawker, Keith Ottery, Andrew Stoodley and Richard Whitefield were all congratulated on their loyal service by managing director Tony White.

Mr White said: “25 years is a very long time in a generation where this is a rare event but Brecknell Willis has a proud record of long service.

“We have 31 people with 25-plus years employment and average service of ten years.”

Special thanks were given to the six staff noting their contribution to a very successful period in the company’s history which has seen Brecknell Willis become specialists in the field of electrification and traction for all types of transport systems including tramways, metros and railways.

Back in 1986 there were only 80 employees with the company; that figure has steadily grown over the years and now stands at 218.

Brecknell Willis has only recently extended its site works to include a prestigious new rail shop and offices with access from Millfield.