A SCHEME to get sick employees back to work has won Stockton Borough Council national recognition.

The council is one of four authorities in the UK to win a risk management award from the Association of Local Authority Risk Management.

Deputy leader of the council David Coleman received the award at Warwick University.

Stockton's employee rehabilitation programme has resulted in absences falling to 3.4 per cent a year, compared to a national average of 5 per cent.

It combines medical treatment, counselling, retraining and supervised exercise to help people regain their independence at work.

Coun Coleman said: "Retaining an employee is quicker and less expensive than recruiting and training, and the reduction in absence levels clearly shows that our human approach to rehabilitation is working successfully."