SECURITY company Key Control Services came away from the inaugural Federation of Small Business Awards in Manchester with a Highly Commended for its Customer Services.

The Bolton company, based in at Sunset Business Park, Manchester Road, Kearsley, was shortlisted in three categories — Customers Services, Business of the Year, 10 to 50 employees and Professional Services Business of the Year.

The company was set up by Managing director Phil Thompson in 1998 after he retired from the police force.

Mr Thompson, who runs the business with his son, also called Phil and who is the operations manager, said it was only the second awards they had entered.

He added: "It is very hard for companies in our industry to compete with businesses outside the industry for such awards and although we didn’t win it was announced that there were two exceptional contenders among the six finalists and this was the only category with two awards, for which we were extremely proud.

"The security industry still has a stigma attached to it and we at Key Control Services have made major strides in eradicating such stigma in the way we run our business and the service we give to clients and also our employees, hence the award."

Its clients include the NHS, Yorkshire Bank and Smyths Toys.