A WASTE and recycling collection service has been recognised in a family business awards.

Astley-based Fresh Start Waste Services Ltd is in the running to win the North and Northern Ireland category in the Family Business of the Year Awards 2019.

The Higher Green Lane business, which is one of eight on the shortlist, is also in contention to win the region's People's Choice Award.

The winner of the People's Choice Award will be decided by a online public vote which will close on Tuesday, April 30.

Chief executive officer of Fresh Start Waste Services, Nicola McGrath, said “We are delighted to be in contention for such a prestigious award.

“Our vision is to lead the way in waste management across the North West and I am very proud of what my family and our staff have achieved locally in the past 14 years.

‘In addition to employing more than 100 people, we’ve sponsored community groups ranging from under 10s rugby to children’s football clubs, as well as bowling tournaments and even an arm-wrestling champion.

"We’ll be unveiling our chosen charity of the year shortly, alongside an exciting scheme to offset our carbon footprint.

"Representing the borough in these awards means everything to us and we hope to do the borough proud.”

Fresh Start collects 7,000 tonnes of food waste every year, which is all used to create green energy.

It also recycles 65 tonnes of paper and cardboard every week - the equivalent of 1,000 trees.

The business was founded in 2005 by Nicola and her dad Paul Rogers.

Her brother Paul Rogers Jnr is a non-executive director; her sister-in-law Emma Rogers is operations co-ordinator; and her niece Brooklyn Rogers is nearly two years into completing an NVQ in business administration.

Nicola added: “Transport and logistics are male-dominated industries, but this business has a father and daughter partnership behind the wheel.

“This nomination shows we’re travelling in a very exciting direction – developing a business that genuinely cares about its workforce and aims to get bigger and better every day."

The award winners will be announced at a gala reception at The May Fair Hotel in London on Thursday, June 6.

The Family Business of the Year Awards was created by Family Business United to celebrate the UK family business sector, to recognise the diversity of family firms and the contributions they make.

Winners will be selected regionally and from a number of industry sectors, with an overall winner crowned Family Business of the Year.

A special People’s Choice Award, which recognises the public's favourite family-run enterprise will also be handed out.

To vote for Fresh Start in the People's Choice Award, click here.