A BUSINESS based in Burtonwood which employs three generations of the same family has won the title of the best small business in the region at the National Family Business Awards.

Specialist staircase company Abbott-Wade picked up the award at Wembley Stadium in London – more than 20 years after the company was established.

Set up by close friends Craig Abbott and Mike Wade in 1996, the business counts fathers, sons, cousins and in-laws amongst the team.

Mike Wade, company director, said: “People always told me that it would make life difficult for us employing family but in fact the opposite has been true.

“The family members working for the company all have a vested interest to do a good job and it’s been wonderful to see family businesses such as ours recognised at a national level.”

The company was selected as the winner after impressing entrepreneurs including Pimlico Plumbers boss Charlie Mullins and David Kerfoot, from The Kerfoot Group .

Amalia Brightley-Gillott, director of the awards, said: "Few people realise that every time they visit their local hairdresser, stay in a boutique hotel or buy cheese in the supermarket that they are in fact supporting passionate, dedicated families who have set up in business together.

“I am blown away by the variety and standard of talented family businesses who enter the awards each year which are our chance to say thank you and give these businesses the recognition they deserve.”