Care staff who have spent more than 15 years working for a Saltaire company have been rewarded for their loyalty.

The 40 Czajka Care Group workers were thanked at a party and praised for their hard work. More than half of them have been with the company for more than 20 years.

The group, which employs 550 people, operates a number of care homes in Nab Wood Steeton and Cross Hills.

It also offers a range of purpose built retirement houses and apartments and runs Czajka Community Care Services.

Managing director Konrad Czajka said: “It’s fantastic to have such a large number of people who are all extremely loyal and dedicated to the company. Obviously we strive to provide first-class homes and facilities but care is a people business so it’s vitally important that we recruit and retain the best.

“Our whole company philosophy is built on our people.”

Carolyn Beecroft joined the firm in 1991 and works as a one-to-one activity coordinator at the firm’s Staveley Birk Leas Nursing Home.

She said: “I’ve always enjoyed my work. Having spent more than 20 years with Czajka, I have gotten to know my colleagues and clients really well and it feels just like one big family. It really is a great place to work.”