Brockworth-based Mears Group has scooped two 24 Housing magazine Diversity in Housing Awards.

The social housing and care group won both the Gender Equality Award and Best Diversity Scheme' categories at this year's event for its Tradeswomen into Maintenance project.

This aims to increase the number of women working in trades roles in the social housing building maintenance sector.

The project is led by Mears but brings together partners from across the social housing sector to actively promote training and employment opportunities for women in the trades.

Current figures reveal that less than one per cent of this workforce are female and research carried out as part of the project shows there are complex reasons for this - from early gender stereotyping to blatant sexism in the workplace and protective clothing that simply isn't made for women.

Project manager Gainor Keeton said: "We are delighted to have won the awards in both our shortlisted categories and are thrilled to have our work recognised.

"This project has enabled us to increase the awareness of trade employment and training opportunities for female trade apprentices and operatives in the social housing building maintenance sector, as well as create resources and tools that will help in recruiting more women into trades and build a diverse workforce."