A DENTAL Laboratory from Thornbury is crossing its fingers this week after being named in the final two for a national award.

CBC Dental Laboratory, which is based on the trading estate after relocating from Bristol in 2008, has been named as a finalist in the Dental Laboratory of the Year category of The Dental Awards 2016.

The winner of the two-horse race between CBC and Aesthetic World Laboratories Ltd, Bolton, is set to be announced on Friday at an awards ceremony in Birmingham.

CBC was nominated for the award after a number of clients put forward submissions recommending them for the prize.

“Having seen what some people put when nominating us, they were really quite gushing with praise and that is fantastic to see,” said Paul Johnston, one of the directors of the lab.

“I would absolutely love it if we won, as it would mean so much to the staff. We are celebrating our 40th year as a business this year.

“It’s very pleasing to be judged worthy against what we know to be very talented technicians in other laboratories.

“If we were successful, it would be a testament to the ability and commitment of our staff.”

Having been with the business for many years, and eventually buying it along in 2002, with fellow director Shaun Webber, Paul says he still finds it amusing that some still don’t always realise the range of products they produce.

He said: “When people think of dental laboratories, they think of dentures, which we always find funny because it is pretty much the only thing we don’t do.”

“We focus mainly on the aesthetic side of dentistry – crowns, bridges and veneers. It is nice to know that, despite being more niche than the rest, we are still appreciated for our work.”