POLLUTION firm Briggs Environmental Services has won a "substantial" contract to stop the risk of spills for the UK's largest rail freight company.

The Droitwich firm will run the three-year deal with English, Welsh and Scottish Railways (EWS) from its Hampton Lovett Trading Estate base.

It will respond to any accidents involving oil and chemicals and help with housekeeping to reduce the risk of accidents during transit.

John Dipple, of Briggs, said the award of the contract was a clear demonstration by EWS that it was committed to running a safe and environmentally-responsible railway.

"Rail freight has a good record and we are very pleased to be helping to maintain the high standard," he added.

The firm would not reveal the value of the contract, but said it was a substantial amount.

EWS currently carries more than 100 million tonnes of freight per year, including coal, timber and steel.

Briggs Environmental Services is part of Briggs Marine Environmental Services, which has been involved in clearing up some of the biggest environmental disasters in the world, including the Exxon Valdez tanker spill and the grounding of the Sea Empress off the South Wales coast.

Its latest contract is part of its move to establish in-shore services at its five sites around the country.