A LONG-STANDING Thwaites employee has been rewarded for the support he has shown to his colleagues over his career with the beer giant.

Bill Holt, a security supervisor at the Blackburn-based brewery, was presented with the Eureka Award at the North West Employee Engagement Group (NWEEG) awards.

The accolade celebrates unsung heroes who work hard behind the scenes and those who make a valuable contribution to their business.

Mr Holt, 60, originally from Accrington but now lives in Blackburn, has worked at the brewery for 34 years.

Mr Holt said: “I’m absolutely dumbstruck to have won it, I’m so pleased.

“It’s an award not just for me but for the whole company and I was just delighted to have been nominated.

“I’d like to thank all my colleagues and everyone involved, they’re a really great team and wonderful to work with.

“I really enjoy working at Thwaites and have been here for so many years, I’ve got lots of great memories.”

Thwaites also took home the Customer Service Superstar Award, Excellence in Engagement Award and the New Recruit of the Year Award on the night.

Other winners included Robin Hills, of EiAChange, Edgeworth, who took home the North West Employee engagement Group’r of the Year award.

John Morris, of glass and glazing group NSG, in Chorley, took home the Passionate People Developer Award, his colleague Lynn Millican won the Going Extra Mile Award.

The Human Resources Professional of the Year Award was won by Louisa Graham of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Mr Holt is known to greet every guest with a warm hello and a beaming smile and often gives tours of the old brewery and tells tales of its heritage.

Rick Bailey, chief executive officer at Thwaites, said: “Everyone comments on Bill’s passion and enthusiasm for the company.

“He is the first to volunteer if his colleagues need a hand, which often means he can be delivering beer around our pubs or travelling hundreds of miles to deliver a vehicle to one of our hotels or inns.

“All this extra work is carried out effortlessly by Bill without a second thought and it’s great to see this recognised.”