STAFF at the Sittingbourne-based Amicus Group are celebrating after receiving a business excellence award.

The umbrella-company for Swale Housing Association, Crowebridge Housing and other housing organisations has earned a Silver Recognition Certificate in regional quality awards run by Excellence South East.

Assessors praised Amicus for its good practices and results. The award puts the group among the top 10 per cent of organisations across the UK that applied for the excellence award.

Amicus chief executive Stephen Howlett received the award from Mike Bateman of Excellence South East at a ceremony at the group's central office in Bell Road, Sittingbourne.

He said: "The exercise has given us a wealth of invaluable feedback about how to improve our organisation.

"By making sure this feedback is fed into the annual business planning cycle, we are able to take some real steps forwards for the benefit of out tenants and the services we provide for them."