MORE than a quarter of an east Cleveland company's workforce has been with the firm for 25 years.

The Cleveland Potash 25-year Club welcomed a further 21 members, swelling the ranks to 225, 26 per cent of the workforce.

Along with their friends and family they enjoyed lunch at Rushpool Hall in Saltburn and were presented with inscribed gold watches from managing director Bob Laybourne.

Mr Laybourne said the awards, would continue under the Boulby mine's new owners, Israel Chemicals' subsidary Rotem Holding GmbH.

He said they reflected the company's appreciation of the loyalty, dedication and effort of long-serving employees and the support of their wives, husbands and partners, who had the thanks of the board and management team.

The new members include Mick Bulmer from Carlin How; Edward Cuthbert from Easington; Geoff Evans from Skelton; Malcolm Hudson, of Great Ayton; Bernard Lonsdale of Sleights; Barry Mackintosh of Redcar; Peter Mann, Malcolm Norbury and Russell Williams from Whitby; Anthony Morgan, David Pawass, Neil Readman and John Street from Guisborough; Ernest Robinson of Scarborough; Keith Robinson from Saltburn; Peter Rudd and Colin Ward from Loftus; and Barry Whitwick and Roy Williams of Marske.

Member Peter Dobbing died shortly following retirement and the award was received by his wife Sheila and their sons Peter and Mark.