ALTHAM office furniture firm Senator International Ltd has been named business of the year in the North West Society of Chartered Accountants' annual awards for outstanding achievement.

The award follows the firm being named as business of the year in the Lancashire Telegraph's own business awards, held last month.

Senator was founded in 1977 and is the UK's largest independent manufacturer of office furniture, employing more than 850 people.

Announcing the award, Sean Williams of the Yorkshire Bank said Senator had "demonstrated impressive financial performance while maintaining an emphasis on the interests of staff and the environment."

Bernard Laverty, President of the North West Society of Chartered Accountants, praised the company as an excellent example of enterprise in the region.

He said: "It was a difficult decision because the shortlist for the award contained four other brilliant firms, but Senator have been around for quite a long time and they've really gone from strength to strength."