AN employee volunteering scheme operating within a Kidderminster-based firm has earned an award recognising its social responsibility.

Water and sludge treatment company, Purac, has been awarded The Big Tick from Business in the Community for its Give me Five initiative.

Give me Five, which covers all subsidiaries of Purac's parent company, AWG, was launched five years ago. Employees can take up to 30 hours paid work time a year for community-related activities, as long as they agree to match it with an equivalent amount of time of their own.

Among Wyre Forest schemes benefiting from the initiative was Spennells First School, where Purac created a quiet area in a playground, in memory of a pupil, Stacy Rose, who died of leukaemia.

A new garden is also being created by volunteers at the Bewdley premises of Mentor Link, which offers advice, support and guidance to teenagers at risk of underachievement at school.

Marilyn Shaw, Purac's Give me Five co-ordinator, said: "Many employees already do a lot of valuable work in their community and our scheme is a means to recognise and support these efforts.

"It also provides an opportunity for us to give something back to the community, our clients and neighbours.

"Many of the company's 750 participants find the experience personally fulfilling and, wherever possible, we try to link projects to their personal development programme.

"It is always gratifying to have your efforts acknowledged and rewarded by an external body and, hopefully, this award will give a boost to those already participating in Give me Five and encourage more employees to sign up to this scheme."