STAFF who provide catering services for a Wiltshire Army garrison have won an award for their work.

Sodexho Defence Services has become the first contract caterer at any defence establishment in the world to achieve the Hospitality Assured prize, which recognises customer-service excellence.

It was awarded the honour for its work at the Cotswold Garrison, north Wiltshire.

The Cotswold Garrison comprises the Joint Supply Unit at Corsham, the 9 Supply Regiment at Hullavington and the 21 Signal Regiment at Azimghur Barracks in Colerne.

At the three sites Sodexho employs 190 staff, providing services for around 1,700 people.

The accreditation for the Hospitality Assured standard was undertaken by an independent assessment team. It covered the Cotswold Garrison's hotel services such as bar and mess management, housekeeping, catering, accounts, cleaning and running functions at the sites ranging from military events to weddings and birthday celebrations.

The Hospitality Assured certificate and plaque were handed over to Mike Daly, group contracts manager from Sodexho, in a ceremony at Hullavington attended by Colonel Bob Vale, Army contracts authorising officer, at Hullavington.