TEAM leaders from Thames Water have completed a six-month development programme.

Thirteen staff from the water firm attended the Fast Forward training and development centre in Shaw Village Centre to complete a six-month Team Leader development programme.

Fast Forward is the business services section of New College in Swindon.

Phil Scholes, Thames Water's customer service director, said: "The role of the team leader is incredibly important to the new business environment. It is every team leader's responsibility to bring out the best in our team to make all of us successful."

The awarding body for the development programme certificate is the Institute of Leadership and Management and the course consisted of weekly morning courses at the Fast Forward centre, as well as some home study.

Paul Bridgens, a new accounts team leader was one of four commended for outstanding effort.

He said: "We benefited hugely from tremendous support of the tutors who were always there to help and respond to e-mails between the weekly sessions. I'd definitely recommend the course to other team leaders.''

As well as helping the team leaders develop leadership skills, the course gave them the confidence to act the best way in vital situations. It was also a unique opportunity for team building and networking.

Gill Randall, a contacts centre team leader said: "It has definitely made us stronger as a unit."