A WEST Wiltshire business has been awarded top marks for its health and safety in the work place.

Audience Systems, based in West Wilts Trading Estate, received the British Safety Council's Five Star safety award for the effectiveness of its safety programmes.

The company, which designs, manufactures and installs spectator seating, won the award after an intensive audit of its health and safety management system.

Health and safety manager, Peter Mantay said: "We are delighted to receive this award which everybody has worked so hard to achieve.

"It has been a real team effort, which we will

continue to build on to achieve an even better safety programme in the future."

David Ballard, director general of the British Safety Council, said: "Good safety is good business and can save firms hundreds of thousands of pounds.

"In winning a Five Star award, Audience Systems has shown a real commitment to improving health and safety in the workplace.

"Integrating this into the overall management agenda is undoubtedly the key to improving health and safety standards in the workplace and preventing accidents.

"I hope it will continue to build on its achievements and that others will follow its good example."

Every year, around 160,000 people are forced to give up work due to

long-term illness or disability, amounting to a annual £18bn burden to British industry, and the safety award was introduced to combat against such figures.