A CARE home manager has been hailed as Redcar and Cleveland Council's employee of the year.

Geraldine Handley scooped the prize in recognition of her dedicated work at Luke Senior House, Guisborough.

The unit manager at the home was presented with her award by the council's Mayor Councillor Brian Briggs at the fourth annual PRIDE - Positive Results in Delivering Excellence - awards ceremony in the Gisborough Hall Hotel.

She said: "It's fantastic, I'm just so shocked. Look at all the good work people do - and this award has come to me. I'm really proud and the residents will be absolutely chuffed, too.

"I get massive satisfaction from the job, just seeing people enjoying themselves. You're giving them a feeling of being significant, they're still important people, with fantastic, interesting lives."

Arts development officer Joanne Hodgson and cultural development officer Malcolm Armstrong picked up the council's Executive Management Team Award for their work organising the recent Odin's Glow event.

People's Champion award, voted for by members of the public, was presented to Richard Cush, a member of the council's Clean and Green Team, based in the East Cleveland villages.

He said: "It's nice to be nominated, but I couldn't have won without the help of all the lads."

The joint winners of the Community Smile Award, another voted for by the public, were sisters Julie Durdan and Jane Booth, who have worked together at Dormanstown library for over 20 years.