Staff at a care home have been praised for their dedication and hard work after it was handed an "outstanding" rating - having already scooped a national award.

Silloth Nursing and Residential Care Home is the first in Cumbria to have achieved such a rating, following the visit by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The rating comes after the home, which provides care for up to 38 residents, was awarded the National Gold Standard Framework (GSF) 'Beacon' Award - Winner in November.

Matron Ann Blair paid tribute to staff working at the home.

She told The Cumberland News: "It's down to their hard work. We've got staff who have been here for quite a long time - 10, 15 even 30 years and that's a big help. It shows that they're loyal."

Mrs Blair said every visit by inspectors is unannounced, adding: "When that doorbell goes, you've just got to be ready.

"The inspectors spent a lot of time talking to residents and their families to find out about the care they're given."

In the report, inspectors also credit the hard work of staff at the home.

It said: "People who used the service and relatives we spoke with consistently highly praised the skills of staff working in the service.

"One person in the home told us, 'It's very reassuring that we have such good nurses here, they are always on hand to seek advice from. I get attention straight away.'

"A relative summed up the views we consistently gained from all the relatives we spoke to by saying, 'It was a huge comfort to us knowing (relative) was being cared for at this home and we will be eternally grateful for this and the way they were looked after in her final days, a rock of support every step of the way.

"'This home makes a difference to people's lives, they should never change.'"

The ratings were given based on five key questions - "Is the service safe?" for which it received a rating of "good" and "Is the service effective?" "Is the service caring?" "Is the service responsive?" and "Is the service well-led?" for which it received outstanding ratings.

Mrs Blair added: "When we saw the report, we had a glass of champagne to celebrate with the residents. It's really something that's down to the staff because they work so hard.

"There's a lot of negativity about care homes, but it just goes to show if you're dedicated and put the work in, then achieving a good rating can be done."

Regarding whether or not the service is well-led, the report said: "People received a high standard of care because the management team led by example and set high expectations of staff about the standards of care people should receive."

Mrs Blair said: "We know we've got to keep these standards up and we'll make sure that's what we do. We'll still be looking at ways we can continue to improve."

Last year, the home celebrated being re-accredited with beacon status, when it also picked up Care Home of the Year at the GSF Awards.

"We weren't expecting to win, to be honest," Mrs Blair added. "But we were praised for our end-of-life care and we were delighted to win."