SUCCESS is in the bag for Westhoughton-based Red Mill Snack Foods Ltd.

The fifth biggest supplier of savoury snacks in the UK has gained the national Investors in People award for excellence in employee advance.

Red Mill, which produces tortilla chips and Mr Porky pork scratchings, says Investors is helping improve productivity, efficiency and staff retention.

Sales turnover is increasing at the company, which has also gained the ISO 9002 quality management standard and was the first pork factory to gain EU approval.

Under Investors there are regular team briefings, two-way appraisals and focused business and training objectives.

Managing Director Garry Nield said: "This success is firmly based around the recognition by the company that people are its finest asset, which in turn leads to improved communication.

"Employees are aware of company objectives and know their own role in achieving them."

Mr Nigel Whittle, a member of the Bolton and Bury Chamber team which helped Red Mill through the Investors process, said: "The staff deserve congratulations for their hard work and commitment."