A REDDITCH company has beaten off competition from hundreds of other businesses to become a national winner in the 2003 European Week for Safety Awards.

MacLelland International Ltd won the award for its efforts to promote health and safety in the workplace.

The focus of the week last year was dangerous substances and organisations of every size and sector, including hospital trusts, councils and trade unions, took part.

Oakenshaw-based MacLelland has about 12,000 employees nationwide.

The firm's Kevin Peart said: "We're delighted with this award, which comes in a year which has seen considerable development in our corporate health and safety programme.

"Health and safety is something we take very seriously and we have invested in the training of our employees at all levels."

MacLelland held a range of activities during the week, including a roadshow, producing a credit card-sized aid with dangerous substance symbols and a presentation to ensure people read all labels when dealing with hazardous products.

The awards were presented by Des Browne, minister of state for work, Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, director at the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and Bill Callaghan, Health and Safety Commission chairman.