GEORGE Cox & Sons Ltd has become the first civil engineering company in the Bolton and Bury area to achieve the national Investors in People standard.

The Farnworth company specialises in high-profile civil engineering schemes throughout the North-west, such as Bolton's Victoria Square, Blackpool's Winter Gardens and work around the new Marks and Spencer store in Manchester.

It is also involved in the re-development of Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre and the laying of 2,000 square metres of sett paving outside the new Manchester Convention Centre adjacent to G-Mex.

The award recognises excellent employee development, particularly in health and safety.

The Investors inspection team also paid tribute to the company's personal development programme which offers clear opportunities for progress throughout the organisation.

Director John Walsh said: "Training and development of our personnel has always been a high priority for us.

"Investors in People has helped us to undertake long-term planning and formalise our systems and procedures."

He went on: "Quality issues are becoming a more significant factor in winning work and a well-trained and qualified workforce is a key factor which influences our clients when selecting contractors for projects.

"The Investors in People award is a clear recognition of the company's commitment and a satisfying reward for all the hard work over the past few years."

George Cox & Sons Ltd was helped through the Investors in People process by Bolton and Bury Chamber.

The company team is pictured celebrating success. Holding the plaque are Health and Safety Director John Walsh, left, and Bob Wright of Bolton and Bury Chamber.