DEDICATED care staff at a York home have triumphed in an award scheme which recognises top quality work in their field.

Carers Carol Bowers and Sandra Pickard, who work at Grove House on Penley's Grove Street, were both shortlisted in the Great British Care Awards' Yorkshire and Humber regional finals, and were at an awards dinner in Leeds.

Carol was named the regional winner in the Dignity in Care category and will now go on to represent York and Grove House in the national finals in the spring.

The pair were put forward by care home manager Lisa Walbridge. She said: "I nominated Sandra and Carol for the exceptional care they have given residents at Grove House over the years.

"Sandra has been here 18 years and she is absolutely outstanding. She's so caring and treats the residents as if they were her own family."

Carol's award, for dignity in care, recognises her dedication to getting to know each resident individually, and her hard work to organise events and trips for the care homes residents.

Lisa said recognition for Carol and Sandra is a valuable morale boost for staff at Grove House, which faces closure in the coming months as part of a care homes overhaul by City of York Council.

She added: "I am really proud of them both.

"It was hard to select just two people to nominate at Grove House, as it is all team work here."

Carol and Sandra enjoyed a "Grease" themed dinner and awards ceremony at the Royal Armouries, Leeds, on Friday, November 20.

Since they were first nominated months ago they went through an interview process with the judges, but Friday night was the first time Carol learnt of her win.

"I was really shocked. They are all calling me Victor Meldrew because I keep saying 'I don't believe it!'

"At the end of the day you just feel like you are doing your job, but to have that kind of recognition is lovely," she added.