ENVIRONMENTAL health experts have been signed up by a national company to advise them on health and safety issues.

National sofa retailer ScS Upholstery plc, which has its head office in Sunderland and has 60 branches throughout the UK, has chosen environmental health officers from Sunderland City Council's Community and Cultural Services to advise them on matters relating to health and safety.

The partnership came into being through the Health and Safety Executive's Local Authority Partnership Scheme, which encourages local authorities to team up with large companies in their area to address health and safety issues.

The partnership is expected to have mutual benefits, with environmental health officers gaining insight into the difficulties faced by businesses.

The council's assistant head of environmental services, Norma Johnston, said: "It is particularly pleasing that such a major company founded in the city is actively committed to seeking the highest standards of health and safety for their staff and the general public."

Marie Matheson, of ScS, said: "As ScS grows both in terms of employees and number of sites, the need for a comprehensive health and safety strategy becomes ever more important.

"ScS is committed to providing the best possible working environment for our employees."