A DARWEN dental practice is looking to expand and take on up to 30 new people after winning a prestigious award for the 10th year in a row.

Bateman and Best Dentist has picked up a British Dental Association Good Practice award every year since 2004 and has now won a gold award for winning the 10th one.

The Blackburn Road practice, which employs 22 people, was started 35 years ago by Darreners Anthony and Julie Best.

Their son Mike, 32, took over the running of the practice three years ago and said that their long run of success could lead them to expand next year The company won the award for complying with rigorous good practice tests and demonstrating the staff’s skill. A former Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School student, Mike qualified as a dentist in 2005 from Leeds University before working in the city for a number of years.

He then moved to Melbourne for a year before coming back to work in the family practice.

Mike said that he put the practice’s success down to the hard work of his team of employees.

He said: “It’s amazing that we have been able to achieve this for the last 10 years.

“I would put the success down to the strength and professionalism of the team.

“I have worked at some practices where that has not been the case and that makes a difference to its success.

“All of the staff help each other out and they don’t just leave at the end of their shift if there is work still to be done.

“I’m very proud of everyone here.

“Because of this success I’m considering expanding the practice elsewhere in Blackburn or Darwen which would be a great move for the business.

“It could create between 10 and 30 new jobs.”

The Blackburn Road practice currently employs five dentists and one hygiene therapist.

A dental student from the Manchester Dental Hospital and a hygiene student from the University of Liverpool are also working at the practice.