A WESTHOUGHTON plastics firm is helping to combat a problem which is plaguing towns and cities across Britain.

Barkston Ltd is working to deter the vandals who target bus shelters.

Based at Wingates Industrial Estate, the company employs more than 100 workers and has a turnover in excess £7m a year.

The plastic material Barkston manufactures for bus shelter glazing is relatively vandal-proof and boasts benefits such as being environmentally friendly and having a class-one fire rating -- if it catches fire, the fumes would be no more harmful than that of wood or paper

The firm operates from six bases in the north of England, supplying and advising maintenance companies working with local councils to repair shelters. It supplies materials to Derby City Council and South Wales Council, as well as those within the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive areas.

A developing authority on bus shelter glazing, the company is also involved in working alongside glazing companies to ensure -repairs can be made within the 24-hour deadlines set by local councils.

In addition, Barkston is working with European manufacturers on developing vandal proof and unbreakable materials to reduce spending on repairs.

Steve Rock, commercial director, said: "We are working extensively throughout the UK to help address the growing problem of vandalism to bus shelters.

"Our product enables attractive designs, is safe for the public and deters vandals. These reasons, in addition to our fast turnaround and manufacturing capabilities, will secure our continued success."