WHERE there was muck there was gold for a Kidderminster-based company.

Purac, which specialises in treating waste water, sludge and solid waste, has been awarded a RoSPA gold award during an annual presentation ceremony held in Birmingham.

The firm's health and safety officer, Sarah Bond, received the award from RoSPA president, Baroness Anne Gibson.

Purac managing director, Malcolm Wilkinson, said: "We accept that high standards and the pursuit of health and safety excellence are key performance objectives within our business.

"It's far more than just being able to show consistent implementation or precautions or reducing numbers of injuries. It goes to the heart of the way this organisation is run.

"We're particularly pleased to gain this award, as so much of our work takes place out on sites around the UK, where health and safety is a vital issue, not just a buzz word.

"The individuals responsible for health and safety within Purac deserve congratulations but so do all the members of our team - and we employ more than 300 people - who have all understood the fundamental reasons for needing to embrace health and safety as a core value and have contributed to us picking up this very welcome award."

Roxel (UK Rocket Motors) based at Summerfield, near Kidderminster, received a president's award from RoSPA.