NORTHERN Rail is defending its title at The Press Business Awards this year, entering the category it won last year, Best Employer And Education Link.

The company, which employs 4,800 people is based on Rougier Street, York and it works with York Cares to encourage its staff to volunteer in local schools.

This year the company took part in a “Ground Force”-style event to makeover local schools through York Cares Kids’ College. At Tang Hall Primary School it helped create new outdoor spaces with nature zones, an upgraded reading area with carvings, vegetable and flower beds, murals, and a road safety area for the children to practise on their bikes.

The company’s head of estates management, Alan Tisdell, used contacts to get materials and specialist support for the project, including more than £10,000 worth of materials.

The business also created a five-week module for Year Five students called Transport Yourself, to educate them in safety on the railway, reading timetables and buying tickets and careers in the industry, the highlight of which was when the children were allowed to read station announcements at Harrogate Railway Station.