It's official - workers at the Bicester office of construction consultants BYL are among the happiest in the UK. Bosses were praised by auditors for having such contented and upbeat staff.

After conducting interviews, experts assessing the firm for the Investors in People quality standard were amazed to find that staff were not only sttled in their own jobs, but would actively recruit friends and family to join the business. Julia Houghton, from Capital Quality, based in London, was lead assessor for the process.

She said: "This was a most unusual company, with inspirational leadership and a sense of enthusiasm from staff at all levels.

"Wherever they are based in the UK, people working at BYL loved the business and enjoyed their jobs.

"I don't think I have ever come across such overt and universal happiness from the staff in any business I have previously audited."

David Rundle, chief executive of BYL, who accepted the award on behalf of the company, said: "We have always adopted a nurturing and supportive management style.

"At the end of the day, happy team members give better service and are more concerned about the welfare of clients."

Assessors looked at ten areas of the business from core commercial aspects, such as staff development, to factors including whether people felt appreciated and understood business goals.