BUTLINS holiday resort, in Minehead, has achieved the prestigious Investors in People national standard in recognition of its commitment to staff and training.

The Government-backed award is operated locally by Business Link Somerset and took the company some ten months to achieve.

But managers believe the scheme is already paying dividends as staff turnover and complaints are down, while profits are up by 15 per cent as is the percentage of satisfied guests.

Resort director Bryan Leaker said: "We're delighted at how much we have benefited from the Investors in People standard.

"Our priority is always our guests and we're really pleased to have seen a significant ten per cent rise in the number of people who rate their stay as good or very good."

He said new systems had been introduced which improved communications and staff morale.

Business Link Somerset managing director Peter Harvey said increasing company profits was not the sole aim of the scheme, although company's often found better profits were "a welcome spin-off".

Mr Harvey added: "With an employer as massive as Butlins, Investors in People can make a vital difference in areas such as how people feel about their work and how they perform and that, of course, means they are less likely to leave."

More information about the award scheme is available from Alex Kidd on 08457 211 112.

Pictured with some of the 800 workers currently employed at Butlins - the number swells to 1,400 during the summer - are Investors in People assessor Angela Riley, in front, who presented the award to Michael Corr, front left, of technical services and training officer Dean Badcock.