ONE of Burnley’s biggest employers has presented long-service awards to staff who have clocked up a total of more than 450 years’ work.

The VEKA UK Group, which opened a new £5m extension at its Farrington Road headquarters last year, honoured 31 staff at a ceremony .

The firm, which represents the UK arm of the family-owned German multinational VEKA, is the world’s leading manufacturer of PVC-U window systems.

The awards were presented at both the group’s Burnley site and its facility in Minworth, near Birmingham – which, between them, employ some 450 people.

Managing director Dave Jones was one of those to receive an award, having been with the company for more than 20 years.

He said: “I’m proud to have played my part in the The VEKA UK Group’s growth over the past two decades.

“There are people here who go back even further than me that remember an initial staff of just 30 working in a comparatively humble factory of around 30,000 square feet.

“The fact that those employees are still with us, and a host of others who have shown their loyalty over several years is testament to both VEKA’s fair treatment of its staff and a tangible sense of family throughout the company.

“Our success is largely thanks to their pride in their work and I congratulate them for it.”

The 31 awards were presented for service ranging from five years through to a staggering 25 years by the likes of Production Unit Leader Stewart Berry, and Head of Logistics Pat Parry.

VEKA’s £5m state-of-the-art mixing plant, in Farrington Road, was opened last February by Business Secretary Vince Cable, who praised the company for the part it played in Burnley’s economic regeneration.

The German brand was introduced into the UK in 1986.

Originally known as VEKA plc, the firm rebranded as The VEKA UK Group on its 25th anniversary in order to reflect its acquisition of Bowater Building Projects.

The company earned the Investors in People accreditation in 1994, and works regularly with community groups, charities, colleges and sporting clubs in East Lancashire.