COUNCIL bosses are celebrating after winning an Investors in People award.

The business and community services directorate of North Yorkshire County Council is the first in the authority to win the award.

The directorate is responsible for the libraries, trading standards, economic development and communications services in the county.

Executive member Carl Les said: "As a responsible and caring employer, the county council is committed to getting the whole of the organisation to Investors in People standard by April 2004. The business and community services directorate has led the way and they deserve every credit for doing so."

Director of business and community services Gordon Gresty said: "Investors in People is a nationally recognised award and its achievement is a credit to everyone's efforts and commitment.

"The standard demonstrates that we are effectively developing and managing our staff, which in turn means an improved service to the communities of North Yorkshire."