CONSTRUCTION giant Seddon were praised for nurturing local talent as they picked up the Apprentice Development Award in the Bolton and Bury Business Awards.

The Bolton firm, based in Plodder Lane, held off competition from Fieldings Porters Solicitors, of Bolton, and EAT (Employment and Training) Pennines Ltd, of Ramsbottom.

The company was started in 1897 by brothers George and John Seddon as a bricklaying business in Little Hulton, but soon gained a reputation for high quality work and expanded to service the whole of the North West region.

Tony Costello, the firm’s head of training, said: "To get this recognition, not just for Seddon but for the local businesses who are our supply chain, is wonderful.

"It is not just appreciating the work that we do to bring through apprentices, but what the community does to create them.

"We have won this award previously but we have changed a lot in the three years since then.

"As an area, we have lots of work to do with apprentices and schools to create jobs.

"We are absolutely made up with this award and the whole Seddon family will be over the moon."

Seddon apprentice Lewis Haslam, aged 17, added: "I have been with Seddon for about a year now and I have really enjoyed it. It's great to be here tonight to share in the award."

The company continued to grow and a contract construction business was created in 1932. In the 1940s and ‘50s, the company won a number of large-scale public housing and public works contracts, leading to new offices in Stoke on Trent in 1951.

John Seddon’s three sons joined the business and eventually took over. The company grew and prospered over the years, launching regional private housing developer, Seddon Homes, in 1991.

Today, Seddon has a turnover in excess of £160 million, and is still family-owned and managed, spanning five generations.

The company offers a full range of services and many specialisations including joint venture development projects, construction of new buildings, refurbishments and alterations, extensions, painting and decoration and planned maintenance services.