STAFF at a North Yorkshire feed firm have notched up over 1,000 years service with the latest staff member presented with their 25 year award.

Barbara Harrison, 47, joined I’Anson Brothers, the Masham-based animal feed manufacturer, in 1994 and works in the general administration and sales support team, liaising with farming customers across the North of England.

Mrs Harrison, who lives in Kirkbymoorside with her husband Keith a HGV driver and nine year old son Adam is the latest member of the 80 staff to receive her silver award, with the current employees marking 1,000 years between them.

She said: "I am a farmer’s daughter and that helps enormously when I am dealing with our farming customers. I understand their world and how important our products are in helping them care for their animals, whether they are cows, sheep or pigs.

"One of the benefits of being here so long has been seeing how the company has grown and developed but yet stayed loyal to its community roots. Among the highlights have been the award of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2008 and the celebrations to mark the firm’s centenary.

"There is a great team at I’Anson’s and I look forward to being a member of it for many more years yet."

Managing Director Chris I’Anson said they are grateful so many staff have stayed with them for such a long time.

He added: "The fact that our business will celebrate its 120th year in 2020 is down to people like Barbara. They are as vital to our success as the products we produce. Members of staff tend to stay with the company for a long time and they are an essential element of the relationship we have with our customers.

"It is quite remarkable that our current 80 employees have notched up 1,000 years of service with the company between them. That is something we very much appreciate."

I'Anson Brothers Ltd which set up in 1900 supplies farm feed across the country from it's head office and mill in Masham.