AFFORDABLE housing company bdht in Bromsgrove is celebrating after one of its staff members received a nationally recognised award.

Miss Kate Leaning is part of the housing trust’s community repairs team and was nominated by her employers for the Career Development Star award.

She is the first female operative in bdht’s community repairs team and received training and qualifications after she decided to change careers.

Miss Leaning is currently taking a break from studying but in future hopes to receive training on environmental technologies.

Mike Brown, chief executive at bdht, said: “We’re so proud of Kate’s achievements at bdht and are delighted that these have been recognised by a national awards programme. She is a wonderful ambassador for the business, is always striving to do her very best for our customers and is a joy to work with. Well done Kate.”

The award was presented by one of Britain’s greatest Paralympic athletes, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.

Martin Hilditch, Acting Editor of Inside Housing, said: “The standard of entries for the Housing Heroes Awards hit new heights this year. All of our entrants can be truly proud of everything that they have achieved in the past 12 months. Housing professionals are carrying out fantastic work to build and sustain communities across the UK. We had more than 200 entries this year and it was incredibly tough whittling that down to a shortlist, quite apart from picking a winner. Huge congratulations to everyone who entered.”

More than 700 people took part in the celebrations in the Exchange Hall at Manchester Central.

bdht is a Bromsgrove based social housing firm which aims to improve the communities by working closely with the council, police and residents to provide secure and affordable accommodation.