CUPS and saucers were raised in celebration at Bettys Tea Rooms in Ilkley this week after the company was ranked among the top 50 employers in the country.

The famous caf, on The Grove, is part of Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate, which came 12th in the Sunday Times 'Best Companies to Work For' survey.

The survey was carried out with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry and looked for businesses that cared and

invested in their staff and had a welcoming and open culture.

Staff at Bettys in Ilkley, which employs around 60 people, said the company deserved the accolade.

Chris Clements, 32, assistant caf manager, said: "I started as a waiter and became assistant caf manager within two years.

"It's such a friendly place to work, from the people who work on the floor to the directors."

And his colleague, waitress Elizabeth Kahlon, 28, agreed. "I really like working here. There's a nice team, nice people to work with and I enjoy the job," she said. "It's a good company to work for and they treat you well."

The only other Yorkshire firm to make the list was Leeds-based supermarket chain Asda which was ranked the fifth best company to work for. Cisco Systems, an internet products supplier, came top of the list, closely followed by American software giant Microsoft at number two. Pictured right are Bettys staff Elizabeth Kahlon, Elizabeth Perris and Jemma Thompson. (5-021-AH)