APTUS Personnel, which has a branch in Bolton, was second in the Training and Development category of the "Recruiter" Awards for Excellence 2003.

Better connection

PENNINE Telecom of Bury has provided a telephone system at the Lowry Centre in Salford Quays which helped provide a better box office service for the public.

Entries closing date

THE closing date for entries in this year's National Customer Services Awards is May 30. To find out more, telephone 020 7378 1188 or e-mail info@customer serviceawards.com

Materials boom

THE Builders Merchants Federation in the North-west and Manchester says demand for building materials is being fuelled by a buoyant property market and television home improvement programmes.

Dinner dance raised Florida trip cash

A DINNER dance at the Lowry Hotel, Manchester organised by Royal Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking raised £36,000 for charity.

Destination Florida, an organisation that helps very poorly children experience the trip of a lifetime, will receive £30,000.

Five star winner

MANCHESTER's only five-star hotel, The Lowry, has been awarded "Best New Conference Product" by conference exhibition company Confex.