AN environmental consultancy on Wearside has won a deal with Formica to work in its European operation.

Cirrus Environmental Solutions has been appointed by Formica to carry out safety audits and workplace assessments in Kolho, Finland, and in Valencia and Bilbao, Spain, to help meet EU directives. Cirrus, based at the Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) in Sunderland, already works for Formica at its sites in the North-East, in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, and North Shields, North Tyneside. Peter Alderson, Formica vice-president of engineering, said the company was chosen for the European contract on the strength of its work on the company's UK sites.

"Cirrus provides our North Shields and Newton Aycliffe sites with a comprehensive monitoring and management programme to ensure that we comply with health and safety legislation, and continue to provide our employees, contractor and visitors alike with a safe working environment," he said.

"Based on our good relations, we had no hesitation in involving them in this European project."