A TEXTILE manufacturer’s ‘passion for listening to what the community needs’ has helped it score a hat-trick at the Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards.

Darwen firm Herbert Parkinson was once again named as the winners in this year’s Social and Community Development of the year category.

Herbert Parkinson’s community liaison co-ordinator Deborah Hall could barely contain her excitement as she collected the award on behalf of the company for the third time.

Judges were impressed by the Monton Road company’s commitment to the community.

Herbert Parkinson, which was founded in 1953 and now employs 261 staff, regularly makes donations to ultra local projects.

Bosses allowed staff member Charlie Shingadia to be seconded to a charity, it offered six-week paid internships for a high school student and raises money through its charity of the year.

Although the firm supplies curtains, blinds, fabrics, duvets and pillows to the multi-million pound John Lewis empire, it has continued to support the needy on its doorstep.

It may source products like goosedown from Serbia and Eastern Europe but providing funding to projects such as Groundwork Pennine Lancashire, St Joseph’s RC Primary School and Mill Hill Football Club are a core part of its business.

Ms Hall said: “We are really excited to win. It is the third time and it is fantastic to be chosen again.

“We’re so happy just to be recognised for the work that people such as Charlie Shingadia do.”

Charlie was seconded to work with East Lancashire charity THOMAS, which helps substance abusers and ex-offenders, to offer expert guidance to improve its service.

Ms Hall said: “We have a passion for listening to what the community needs and seeing where we can help them.

“We just want to help people and we are really proud of the work we do.”