A WHITCHURCH-based home care provider has put the town on the map again after picking up another top accolade.

AStar Homecare Services Ltd, which last month claimed a regional accolade, has gone one step further and has been recognised nationally for its services to palliative care.

The firm has collected the Palliative Care/End of Life Award at the Great British Care Awards, held in Birmingham.

The judges were full of praise for AStar, saying staff at the firm went "above and beyond".

They said: "Both judges were moved to tears.

"This is an outstanding team, going above and beyond not just for service users but also the families."

Adam and Gill Holden, joint owners and directors, said they could not believe it.

Gill said: "We know our team is incredible and go way above the call of duty most days, but to think we were up against the whole country and won is just phenomenal. I'm still pinching myself.

"We have said since day one our aim was to raise the bar in social care and Shropshire, and we truly believe we have done this.

"Thank you to 43 amazing local ladies – thank you all."

Adam added: "It's like a dream come true. Thank you to all those who voted for us and made this possible."