A NORTH-EAST MEP visited a Newton Aycliffe factory to find out more about the efforts which have brought it a number of top awards for environmental health and safety.

Stephen Hughes, who has a special interest in European health and safety matters, congratulated staff at 3M Aycliffe on their work and said he hoped other companies would follow their lead.

He said: "3M is a shining example of a major company that takes its environmental health and safety responsibilities very seriously and is committed to these going hand-in-hand with business success. The management and workers of 3M work well together to make these objectives a reality."

Awards won by the site over the past 12 months have included those from the National Energy Foundation (NEF) for energy conservation and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for "outstanding performance".

It also won a 2002 global 3M leadership award.

Site manager Phil Wild said: "We are delighted with the interest that Mr Hughes has shown in the work that we do here.

"He has visited us before, but we have since introduced a number of new initiatives and product lines and were very pleased to be able to discuss these with him."

During his visit, Mr Hughes also accepted a £500 cheque on behalf of the Darlington and Mulheim Town Twinning Association, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.