Last updated 19:28, Thursday, 27 November 2008

ONE of West Cumbria’s best known family building firms has scooped an impressive 11th Pride in the Job award.

George Lattimer, of Lattimer Homes, won a north west regional prize in the National Housebuilding Council’s annual awards.

The award – in the three to 50 homes a year category – was for Mr Lattimer’s work as site manager on the Sheila Fell Close housing development at Aspatria.

He will now go forward to the national awards in January, where he will compete for an eighth overall title.

Mr Lattimer picked up the regional prize at a ceremony at Manchester’s Hilton Hotel.

Competition is fierce, with more than 18,000 site managers assessed and eligible for entry.

Mr Lattimer paid tribute to the team of tradesman and operatives that work with him on site.

Lattimer Homes, based at Mealsgate, near Aspatria, was formed more than 30 years ago by Joe Lattimer, George’s father. The business has expanded to incorporate many family members and a sizeable team of employees.

Mr Lattimer said: “My nephew and cousin are now part of the team and we’ve got guys who’ve worked with us for over 25 years.

“Our ethos goes right across the board. That is why it works

“That includes the contracting side. They sometimes don’t get a pat on the back as we do, but we couldn’t do the job without them.

“We don’t want to expand too much, partly so we can keep our fingers on the pulse.”