A FAMILY coach firm is celebrating after winning a safety accolade.

Anthony’s Travel from Runcorn received the Road Operators’ Safety Council (ROSCO) gold award for innovation in safety at The UK Coach Awards.

The company, set up in 1985, was also finalists in four categories.

Tony Bamber, aged 67, founder and partner of Anthony's Travel, said: “It is a great achievement that for six years in a row we have made the final of the prestigious UK Coach Awards.

“To be shortlisted in four sections is fantastic alone, especially as we are a small family run company with only a fleet of 15 coaches up against some huge national coach companies so to win the Rosco Safety Award was the icing on the cake.

“I am extremely proud that the judges recognise our commitment to provide quality coach transport. This is a wonderful acknowledgement of all our hard work.”

Judges said they were very impressed by the company’s track record of innovation in safety.

They commended their telematic systems to monitor driver behaviour, on board CCTV for passenger and staff safety and vehicle tracking systems. Their coaches are fitted with a breathalyser system which immobilises the vehicle until the driver has passed a breath test.

The firm, which has 42 employees, has also introduced a school of the year competition to educate pupils on the importance of safe transport The company was runner up in medium coach operator of the year, driver of the year Jim Dearden, and coach marketing award for small or medium enterprises.