BARRATT York development administrator Samantha Murray is the best employee in the house builder' northern region.

Samantha, 29, of Linton-on-Ouse, near York, pictured, beat off competition from the north of Scotland to Leeds to win the company's coveted Northern Region Employee of the Year Award. She was presented with a cheque for £1,000 plus a certificate from Barratt's northern chairman, Steven Boyes.

Sam, already twice winner of the York division's Employee Of The Year title, said: "This is a top honour and it is nice to be recognised for my work here."

Mr Boyes said: "Sam is a very deserving winner. Competition is very keen among all our staff throughout the divisions and for the past year her contribution to the continuing success of the company has been outstanding."

Updated: 12:04 Tuesday, November 09, 2004