THREE young Hambleton employees have taken top slots in a special awards scheme honouring a district council-run initiative.

It celebrates the success of the authority’s apprentice and graduate schemes – which form part of the “Changing Lives Building Better Business” project.

The apprenticeship scheme was launched in 2012 and the graduate scheme three years later, to support the local economy and boost business. It allocates cash to businesses wanting to employ apprentices and graduates.

Annabel Charlton of Coles Solicitors based in Northallerton and Thirsk and Jonty Gill of Colin Hutson Accounting of Northallerton were joint winners of the 2015 Hambleton Business Apprentice of the Year Award.

They were both described as “outstanding” candidates and “great ambassadors for the apprenticeship scheme.”

Highly commended awards went to Jacob Condor from The Clock in Thirsk and Elizabeth Medley from Rural Arts, Thirsk.

The graduate award went to Adam Richardson from Joe Cornish Galleries in Northallerton with Sarah Adamson from Coles Solicitors getting highly commended.

Council leader Mark Robson said: “Our apprenticeship and graduate scheme has gone from strength to strength with more and more businesses wanting to get involved every year.

“Without it some of our businesses would not have been able to grow – it has given them the confidence to do so. We look forward to helping many more.”