A PIONEERING Rossendale company has been named Specialist Contractor of the Year at the industry's Oscar-style ceremony.

Ground improvement specialists Pennine, based in Bacup, scooped the accolade at the prestigious Contract Journal Construction Industry Awards.

The team was presented with the industry "Oscar" at a presentation ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, as a result of its work on a number of recent projects including earthworks for the widening of the M60 at Manchester.

The innovative company is also paving the way for a new distribution centre at Liverpool International Business Park.

Pennine's technical director Marc Evans said: "To be shortlisted for this award among such fierce competition was an achievement in itself but to win it is fantastic."

Pennine's growing reputation as a sector leader has also been underlined by it being short-listed for another leading industry award.

The company is in the running for the title Foundation or Groundwork Specialist of the Year in Building Magazine's 2005 Specialist Contractor Awards.

The result will be announced at a presentation ceremony in London in November.

Earlier this year, Pennine beat off stiff competition to win a highly commended ranking in the Specialists in Construction Awards organised by Construction News.