A BUSINESSMAN who has recruited more than 20 long-term unemployed people was among those recognised at an awards ceremony.

Darshan Gill, the owner of Quality Inspection, has recruited two thirds of his workforce through the Easington Action Team for Jobs, in east Durham.

He is among 1,500 people who have worked with the team to overcome barriers to employment since its inception in October 2000.

Television and radio celebrity Paul Frost presented 60 of them with awards at Shotton Hall, Peterlee, on Thursday.

The action team provides practical resources to help people living in the district of Easington find work.

Project manager Kate Welch said: "We will look at whatever may be preventing someone from gaining employment and look for a viable solution.

"We often help people with transport to work, support people coming off benefits, find suitable training and assist with job search and job applications."

In the past two years, the team has gone to the extremes of providing a bed and a pair of reading glasses to help people keep jobs.

Mr Gill said: "The service that the action team provides is excellent. They have already built up a relationship with the candidates before I meet them and understand my needs. They are always my first port of call when I'm recruiting."