Many people wake up in the morning filled with dread at the prospect of going to work.

The alarm clock goes off, the snooze button is pressed, the alarm goes off again and the procedure for hundreds of workers is repeated over and over. But at Horwich-based law firm Keoghs Solicitors, the staff are itching to get behind their desks. Why? Henry Austin investigates.

WE have all had that feeling of dread first thing in the morning. The warm, comfortable bed that has kept you snug throughout the night just seems to be begging you to stay.

But you know you have to get out to scrape the ice from the car and take it on a perilous journey along busy roads or to catch a bus or train to a workplace you do not want to face.

Maybe you don't like the way the firm is run or the prospect of bumping into Lisa at the photocopying machine is too much to bear. Workers at Keoghs Solicitors have no such problem.

The company was recently voted the UK's 49th best firm to work for and it was named as 8th best in the most caring colleagues category.

With a mixture of staff training schemes, social activities and a happy environment, once employees walk through the door, they don't want to leave.

Alan Chisnall started in the company postroom six years ago, before working his way up through ranks to his current job of litigation executive.

He said: "The company has been brilliant for me. It paid for all my training to gain the qualifications I need for my current position.

"At many companies my options would have been quite limited starting in the postroom, but here management treat you as an individual rather than an employee and allow you to develop." He added: "When I started I would never in a million years have thought that I would be where I am today and that is all thanks to the company." IT Assistant, Phil Worthington is another who has benefitted from Keoghs staff training policy. He said: "After leaving school I started on an apprenticeship and worked as a legal typist but then a position came up in the computer department that I really wanted.

"I spoke to people here and now the company is training me paying for the Microsoft exams which I will be sitting soon."

He added: "We get to go on all sorts of trips which are really good because you can meet people in the company."

Another litigation executive, Janet Fortune stressed that the company listened and learned from employees.

She said: "Every single staff idea and suggestion is examined by the company".

"It is really nice to work for people who listen and staff really appreciate their ideas being taken on board."

According to figures released by Health and Fitness magazine, two-thirds of workers who speak up or suggest ideas are ignored.

More disturbingly, 10 per cent of workers suffer from bullying and 47 per cent are pressured to work overtime and through lunch. A worrying 65 per cent believe their work damages their health.

Professor Cary Cooper, of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, has studied stress in the workplace. He says workers should make their employment work for them.

"You have to realise that jobs are no longer for life," he said. "So go in with the attitude that you're not going to be there long. Take advantage of all the education and training you can get so you can be more mobile and can market yourself."

Relaxation methods at Keoghs have also been introduced into the workplace to relieve staff stress and encourage productivity.

Workers can go for Indian head massages and the company has also paid for hypnotherapy sessions, for people who smoke along with other techniques to improve general health on the Well person programme.

Many employees also attend social events, which are not compulsory, and often, out of hours.

Teams have been paintballing, taken to the theatre, watched the opera and had trips to Blackpool and London on the company tab.

Chief Executive, Paul Smith said Keoghs were delighted to be highlighted as one of the top employers.

He said: "We really give staff a say, because communication is extremely important in the running of a healthy company.

"We try and have bit of fun and make work as friendly as possible. You have to go to work, so it might as well be as nice to go to as possible."

He added: "A lot of the things we do, like the training, are not about spending money but caring for people."

"We give staff a lot of opportunity for involvement and try to make it easy for them to move forward, whatever path they choose."

Specialising in various aspects of the law including insurance, conveyance and employment, the company, which already employs 280 people in Bolton, is always looking to grow.

Although continuing to remain in the town where they were founded, offices are also operating in Coventry.

Mr Smith said: "We are hoping to continue to expand in Bolton because it is a great place full of hard working people.