Convenience store chain Bells has beaten off competition from BMW and British Gas to clinch a national training award.
Bells, based in the Tees Valley, won the Large Employer award at the National Modern Apprenticeship awards, organised by the Learning and Skills Council.
The 54-store chain was picked in front of more than 240 companies for the award.
Winners were announced at an awards ceremony presented by Carol Vorderman in London.
Judges said they had picked Bells because of its commitment to staff development, including the establishment of a stand-alone training company.
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