Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has reached its milestone 1,000th Investors in People (IiP) recognition. Shetland-based company, Unst Animation accepted the accolade at a recent ceremony at the firm's premises on the most northerly industrial estate in the British Isles.

Unst Animation was set up in December last year by television documentary producer Ted Harrison and his daughter Caroline - a top camera operator - with assistance from Shetland Enterprise. Studio staff have spent the last year of trading producing a range of short animation clips which will help promote the work of the studio to customers in the television and cinema industry.

Ted Harrison, who says he eventually wants to employ as many as 20 local people in high quality jobs, is delighted to be HIE's 1,000th IiP recipient: "The IiP guidelines were extremely useful in helping us establish good employment practices from the start. To be working towards the award gave us an instant checklist on how we were doing."

Chief executive at Shetland Enterprise, David Finch said: "I think that Unst Animation is very deserving of the 1000th Investors in People for the HIE area. This is a business which has realised that location is not an issue, and they are providing high quality jobs in very remote area where employment opportunities are restricted. We wish them every success for the future."

IiP is a national award which helps to promote the development of staff and skills.