Kendal and Ulverston leisure centre staff gathered to congratulate themselves on their service to the public as they were presented with a major sports quality award.

Leisure Centre managers of Kendal and Ulverston, Paul Stewart and Dave Ronald, both received the 'Quest' award from the Regional Director of Sport England Sheldon Phillps.

Sport England is the Government body charged with encouraging participation and achievement in sport.

Its Quest award is given to centres which have demonstrated high-quality customer service and commitment to continuous improvement.

Councillor Jim Blamire, who is chairman of the management board which runs Kendal Leisure Centre for South Lakeland District Council, described the award as: "A mark of quality to reassure the general public that we're here to provide the best services."

He added that it reflected "all the hardwork from frontline staff."

The assesment of the leisure centres included incognito visits from judges and 'mystery' calls to reception to check the standard of their customer service.

Staff were also put through their paces in three days of interviews and facility health and safety checks.

"It was quite a grilling!" said Kendal staff member Jan Norman.