A STEETON company is in line for a coveted national parliamentary award.

Acorn Stairlifts has been nominated by Keighley MP Kris Hopkins as his constituency Responsible Business Champion.

Now, after the nomination was endorsed by an all-party parliamentary group, the firm will go head to head with other contenders for the national title.

"It is essential we recognise and celebrate the work our local businesses do for and within the community," said Mr Hopkins.

"That is why I was happy to nominate Acorn Stairlifts for the award and delighted that the nomination was accepted.

"There is a tough set of criteria by which these companies will be judged and I look forward to hearing the outcome. I am hoping for a positive result.

"Across the constituency many of our businesses are regularly supporting the community, in terms of charitable gifts, employment, training and investment in the area.

"It is always a pleasure to hear of these stories and I would encourage residents and businesses to write to me and highlight the good works that go on in Keighley."

Acorn, one of the largest manufacturers of stairlifts in the world, is a major supporter of charities and Manorlands in particular.

Over the past five years, staff have raised more than £60,000 for the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice and they expect to coin-in over £20,000 this year.

The company has also installed 25 free stairlifts for Manorlands, to enable patients to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.

And it recently installed a bespoke stairlift for Airedale Enterprise Services in Keighley, which provides facilities including training, access to funding and room hire for new and existing businesses.

Acorn company secretary, Dave Belmont, said the firm was delighted to be put forward for the award.

"It was great news to hear that not only have we been nominated but that our nomination has been accepted," he added.

"This is a real endorsement of the work that Acorn and our staff do within the community.

"Despite being a multi-national company exporting to more than 80 countries, our roots are still firmly here in the Keighley area.

"We have enjoyed building on our charitable relationships and are particularly pleased that we have been able to continually increase our assistance for the local Manorlands hospice."

The national award winner will be announced next month and the presentation will be made by Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.