A BLACKBURN housing association has scooped a national award for its employment policies.

Northern Counties Housing Association, which manages over 1,000 homes in the Blackburn area, was named Employer of Choice' by TV's Eamonn Holmes at the Neighbourhood Awards 2006 gala ceremony in Birmingham.

Organised by the National Housing Federation, the Neighbourhood Awards recognise the achievements of housing associations, their staff and tenants in making their local neighbourhood a better place to live.

The Employer of Choice Award is for the housing association demonstrating the most outstanding commitment to its employees and to creating a place where people want to work. Housing associations employ over 150,000 people.

Celebrating its 40th birthday this year, Northern Counties scooped the award with its Our People' strategy which offers an enticing mix of competitive salaries, attractive benefits, flexi-time and excellent career and personal development opportunities. They even provide an on site masseuse.

Jane Johnson, Human Resources Manager for Northern Counties Housing Association, said: "We are thrilled and delighted to have won this award in our 40th anniversary year. We are very passionate about delivering world class customer service. We believe that our people really do make the difference and credit goes to all our employees who make Northern Counties the successful organisation that it is."