A CARE home held an awards ceremony for loyal staff who have been working there for more than a decade.

Elmcroft Care Home, in Brickhouse Road, Tolleshunt Major, hosted the night for long-serving staff who have worked there more than five or ten years.

Staff were presented with engraved lead crystal glasses by home manager Jean Claude Baya at the home’s Christmas gathering for relatives and friends.

In the five-year category, awards were presented to Sandra Baxter, Ruth Nash, Jackie Leavett, Anne Smith, Suzanne Stirling, Rachel Taylor, Fizz Thompson, Jordan Thompson and Julie Wilson.

In the ten-year category, awards were handed out to Wendy Blagrove, Janet Garrard, Margaret Mann, Alison Miller and Julie Witney.

The staff of the year award went to senior healthcare assistant Miriam Sturman, who was nominated by a resident’s relatives for her hard work and compassion.

Office manager Rachel Young said: “Healthcare assistants are like angels, especially those working with dementia.

“I would just like them to be recognised for their commitment and the compassion they give every day at our care home.”