A NORTH Somerset architect firm has been awarded a national business award.

GSSArchitecture, which has offices in Ham Green, Pill, has won a prestigious Big Tick award in the Business in the Community’s Awards for Excellence 2011, the leading awards for responsible business practice.

The award was presented at a dinner in Bristol on June 7 and, as well as winning the Work Inspiration category, GSS is one of six leading national firms to have been shortlisted for the overall Award for Excellence.

GSS Partner Mark Stevens, who manages the Ham Green office, said: “W are delighted to have won this national award, which recognises the effort and investment the practice has put into developing what we believe to be a unique work experience programme for school leavers.”