A HEREFORDSHIRE company has had its annual celebration of staff who have been with it for 10 years.

Although Oakwrights of Swainshill was only founded in 1999, of its 101 employees 22 have been part of the team for 10 years or more.

The company prides itself on its commitment to local skills and encouraging promotion through the ranks, with some of the staff who have served for 10 years nurtured from the workshops through to current roles in the senior management team.

With business flourishing the company is looking to take on six apprentices this year.

These will be based all across the company, from roles as an oak framer dry fitting the oak frame, to building a dormer on to the roof cassette in the workshop, and progressing to on-site work all across the country to experience the whole house being put together.

Tim Crump, managing director, gained his carpentry and joinery qualifications at Hereford College of Technology. He plied his trade in rural Herefordshire and led the team that restored the Old House in High Town to its former glory, before founding Oakwrights in 1999.

Now he looks for his company to offer up similar opportunities for the Herefordshire craftsmen of tomorrow.

“I started with an apprenticeship in the late 80s and gained my City and Guilds qualification in 1991," said Mr Crump.

"I think it is important to create these opportunities right here in Herefordshire and open them up to everybody.”