CWS Funeral Services has become the largest funeral director in the UK to win the coveted Investors in People award.

The national group, which has a funeral services factory at Radcliffe and a branch in Heywood, was helped to achieve the standard by Bolton and Bury Chamber.

It marks the culmination of three years' work by the group and recognises its commitment to involving and motivating all its 1,500 staff in pursuit of business goals.

To win the award the group had to demonstrate high standards throughout its recruitment, training and staff communications programmes.

Mr Sandy MacDonald, General Manager of CWS Funeral Services, said: "The funeral sector is a 'people' profession and it is particularly important that everyone has a clear idea of what is expected of them.

"We set ourselves the highest standards in providing a caring funeral service and the Investor in People award plays a vital part in ensuring those standards are maintained."

CWS Funeral Services, the largest UK-owned funeral organisation, operates 380 homes throughout Britain.

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