CARE home staff are jubilant after scooping up several awards at a prestigious ceremony.

Colne House care home in Earls Colne received two awards at the Kingsley Healthcare 20th anniversary celebrations.

Erica Bowen won care home support worker of the year with colleagues and families.

The daughter of one resident said: “All you ever want in care home staff is to see them look after your loved ones as if it was their own family.

"Erica does this and then some, it’s hard to put into words how amazing she is.”

Jason Lowe took home the trophy for maintenance person of the year after nominations from colleagues.

A colleague said: “Jason is so good at his job he has made Colne House look great.

“He can turn his hand to anything and is totally focused on making it the best home possible for residents.”

Colne House manager Sue Moreby added: “It was a fantastic day for us.

“Jason and Erica thoroughly deserve their awards.

“Their success comes on top of us keeping our good CQC rating earlier this year.”

Kingsley Healthcare CEO Daya Thayan paid warm tributes to staff and business partners at the glitzy event at Kesgrave Hall, saying Kingsley’s 20 years in business had been an “incredible journey”.

Mr Thayan said: “It has been a privilege to come to work with the amazing people I work with, the great managers who run our homes and the wonderful staff who care for our residents day in, day out.

“Along the way we have acquired and built great facilities and had the good fortune to connect with partners from banks and other businesses and forge long-standing friendships.”

The celebration, which included the Kingsley Care Awards, was hosted by BBC presenter David Whiteley with entertainment provided by former cricketer and television celebrity Phil Tufnell, the Asteria String Quartet and magician Marc Spellman.