VERTEX staff in Manchester Road, Bolton, celebrated after landing the 30,000th new gas customer for Norweb Energi since April.

The "fantastic result" by Sales Manager Sarah Sinfield's team led to the Bolton Customer Services Centre being re-named the Bolton Sales and Service Centre.

A spokesman said the new name underlined the increased importance and emphasis placed on gaining and retaining customers within the Centre and was a tribute to the team.

Fifty new staff members have been recruited as the Centre pushes towards the next target -- 50,000 sales.

The sales celebrations involved champagne, a buffet lunch and achievement awards. A 2ft by 3ft cake -- carrying the Vertex and Norweb Energi logos and a handshake in icing sugar -- signified the link between the two companies.

Mr Tom Dolphin, Domestic Customer and Sales Director, was accompanied by Energy Business Unit Director Kevan Dufty and Ian Bottomley, who took over as General Manager at Bolton on November 20.

Top Performer Achievement Awards were presented to 13 of the sales team: Adrian Briggs, Amanda King, Andrew Jones, Andrew Waring, David Lawrenson, Jackie Crook, James John, Marie Murphy, Rosemin Patel, Sheila Baldwin, Stuart Halsal, Stuart Ritchie and Tracey Kennelly.

Darrell Robinson (CAM) and Danny Crook (Call Centre) collected Team Manager Achievement Awards.

Promotions Manager Helen Kilroy said: "It's been a massive achievement by the Sales Through Service team and the lunch was a fitting reward for their commitment." The 1,200 workforce at the Centre is set to grow further as business increases in the future.