UNITED Utilities, the company which includes Norweb and North West Water, has won a prestigious national award which recognises commitment to social and environmental responsibilities.

It beat finalists Camelot and the British Airports Authority to take top prize in the Business in the Community Awards for Excellence.

The Prince of Wales, who presented the Impact on Society award to United Utilities' chief executive John Roberts, said the accolade recognised company action which could serve as an inspiration to everyone.

Mr Roberts said: "This is a tremendous honour for us and recognises the effort and achievement of all our employees and their commitment to the communities within which we operate.

"The days are gone when companies could concern themselves exclusively with shareholders and employees and ignore the wider issues of community and the environment."

Key achievements which impressed the judges included:

More than 600 jobs have been created or sustained through United Utilities' Venture Fund.

More than £2 billion has been invested to improve river water and sea quality.

More than a million new trees have been planted by the company.

More than £90 has been invested to improve the capacity and reliability of the water supply system. The level of leakage from pipes has been halved.

Previous winners of the Impact on Society Award, launched four years ago, have included BT and Whitbread.