A TEAM of carers who provide help and support for some of the most vulnerable people in society is celebrating national success.

More than 50 social services staff in North Yorkshire have gained nationally-recognised qualifications, including National Vocational Qualifications in care over the past few months.

The staff, many of whom work directly with people in their own homes, day centres, or residential establishments, support a vast number of people across the county.

The head of County Care North Yorkshire, Tony Campbell, presented the awards and congratulated them on their achievements.

He said: "Their hard work has obviously paid off for them personally, but the real winners are the people of North Yorkshire for whom services will continue to improve because of the new skills they've acquired.

"The quality of our services depends on the skills and attributes of our staff and this occasion demonstrates why we deliver to a high standard."