CARNAUD Metalbox Foodcan Components' factory in Westhoughton is celebrating a double win in the 1996 Starpack Awards.

This is an annual scheme organised by the Institute of Packaging to promote British package design and manufacture.

The entry - an innovative food can design for Fray Bentos Deep Fill pies - picked up a Bronze star and a special award for technical innovation in the Consumer Packages category.

It was produced for Campbell's Grocery Products and was billed as the first packaging innovation in canned pies for 30 years.

The can is formed in a special process to give the side walls a perfectly smooth, tapered finish without the wrinkling found on the sides of a traditional pie can.

The body gives the impression of a terracotta pot and the can end carries the same printed graphics that won silver in the 1994 Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association's Best in Metal Awards.

"We are absolutely delighted to receive these awards," said John McCann, plant manager at Foodcan Westhoughton.

"The potential for metal packaging in the food industry is huge in terms of both shape and printed decoration and it is very rewarding for us at Westhoughton to know that our efforts have been rewarded."

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