ENGINEERING firm Amec has received a supplier award for excellence in health and safety from one of its key customers Marks and Spencer.

Amec won a £5.5m design and construction contract last year to upgrade nine M&S outlets including stores in Durham, Hartlepool and the MetroCentre.

It is fitting out a two-storey area in the M&S store at Gateshead which will be a showcase for the retailer's home products range.

Steve Slater, operations director responsible for Amec's activity with Marks and Spencer, said: "In recent years Amec has successfully completed 60 separate contracts for Marks and Spencer and we are delighted to receive this award from one of the UK's leading companies."