DEDICATED Birmingham City Council employees were honoured for their exceptional work and long service under the authority’s flagship awards scheme.

The Chamberlain Awards, named after civic leader Joseph Chamberlain, are held annually by the city council and are presented to staff who ‘‘go the extra mile to ensure the people of Birmingham receive quality services’’.

This year’s ceremony at The ICC was the largest in the event’s seven-year history with gongs dished out in ten categories as well as three long service awards.

Councillor Alan Rudge, the city’s equalities boss who set up the awards scheme, said: “This has been an outstanding year for the Chamberlain Awards.

“The standard of the entries was incredibly high, so much so that the judges had a difficult time compiling a shortlist, let alone deciding on the winners. The level of commitment and pride in the job among Birmingham City Council’s workers never ceases to amaze and these awards rightly pay testament to this fact.”