Company named town's best employer

The award was the final one to be given out as part of the "Barnsley Needs You" campaign, launched last year, which has aimed to boost business and enterprise in the town.

Gist won the judges' vote ahead of security company Doyle Consultants, based in Dodworth, and Barnsley NHS in a close-fought competition which attracted many entries.

Gist driver and training assessor Stephen Dixon, from Royston, picked up the cheque for 200 after nominating his employer for the competition due to the company's "positive approach to all training and personal development needs".

Mr Dixon and Gist, represented by Human Resources managers Sarah Champion and Adam Teesdale, received their awards at the event at The Core in Barnsley town centre on Wednesday.

Ms Champion said: "This award is fantastic recognition of the company's commitment to developing its staff, which includes an investment in our new Skills for Life centre at our Barnsley depot.

"Gist's highly skilled workforce is one of the reasons why we win long-term contracts with major companies.

"Barnsley Needs You is a great initiative and has got people focused on some of the important issues facing the town and how things can be improved."

So far more than 5,000 businesses, job seekers and organisations have visited the Barnsley Needs You website. Previous winners of the campaign's competitions are Claire Hampshire, from Barnsley NHS, who won the Best Apprentice award, and Michael Pointon, from Moorland Plastics, who won the Best Mentor prize.