AN Alcester care worker has been recognised as one of the best training managers in the county at an awards ceremony hosted by the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership for Care.

Ilze Careless was nominated by directors of Helping Hands Home Care, where she has worked since 1996. She joined as a carer and became training manager four years later, and has developed a programme for more than 300 domicilliary and live in care staff .

She said: "The award came as a complete surprise. It is fantastic that all of the hard work that has been put into developing staff training has been officially recognised by my peers."

Training and Projects Co-ordinator Sarah Bratton also received praise for her work.