Staff who regularly go the extra mile for the benefit of the Heart of England Co-operative Society and its customers have been rewarded in the Society's annual prestigious Oscars-style ceremony.

Central TV weather girl Emma Jesson was the host for the evening at the Heart of England Co-operative Society's eighth annual OSCAS - Outstanding Services to Customers And Staff - held at the National Motorcycle Museum in Bickenhill.

Winners were from across all Divisions - Food, Non Food, Funerals and Non-Retail - and from across the Society's trading area of Coventry, Warwickshire, south Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

It was the Asian Funeral Home's Kelly Potter who scooped the coveted Society's Employee of the Year Award and was also the Funeral Division's Gold Award winner.

Kelly first joined the Society 18 months ago during which time she has established her self as a popular member of the team, both among colleagues and client families.

She works as an embalmer for each of the Society's Coventry branches situated in Ansty Road, Lower Holyhead Road and Foleshill Road.

She was both shocked and excited to win her award and commented: "I cannot believe I have been selected the Society's Employee of the Year. It is such an honour and I am absolutely thrilled. I love my job and am totally committed to the Society. I take great pride in my work and always try to work to consistently high standards."

Kelly received a cut glass trophy and £1,000 worth of Society gift vouchers.