A Kearsley company has won two major awards.

Peter Hunt Bakery Foods Ltd has won the Five Star Environmental and Safety Awards from the British Safety Council.

Previous winners have reported increased productivity, better profits, cheaper insurance, more contracts and a happier workforce.

Daryl Whitby, company safety officer for Peter Hunt said: "The company has benefited from the British Safety Council audit both in safety and environmental management for a number of years now and with strong commitment from the directors right through to the operatives we have finally received our goal of five stars."

Every aspect of the workplace is examined as part of the safety audit -- from risk assessments to fire routes and from first aid provision to hygiene.

Every year British industry loses up to £18 billion and 25 million working days through accidents and ill health in the workplace.

Bosses who neglect health and safety waste an estimated 10 per cent of their organisation's annual profits.

David Ballard, the British Safety Council Director General, said: "In winning these Five Star Awards Peter Hunt's Bakery Foods has shown real commitment to improving health, safety and environmental management in the workplace."

Peter Hunt's Bakery Foods, which is based in Lyon Road, Kearsley, was runner-up in the top Company of the Year category in this year's Bolton and Bury Business Awards.