A COMPANY from Salisbury, that is in only its fourth year of trading, has scooped a top environmental award.

Innotec Supplies (UK), which is about to move to new premises on Churchfields Industrial Estate, has been presented with a Green Apple Environment Award.

The awards, for which there were more than 500 entries this year, are given to local authorities, commercial and industrial groups.

Innotec won the national gold award in the products category.

It entered its graffiti remover, which can be used on seats, play equipment, bus shelters and underpasses.

The product does not damage the environment, explained the company's managing director, Melanie Murrell.

"Unlike other cleaners, this product is not based on acid or other damaging chemicals and is completely biodegradable, which is good news for the environment," she said.

"Salisbury district council is already using the product to clean up our streets and several rail companies, including London Underground, are running trials."

She said everyone at the company, which now has 18 staff, was delighted with the award.

"It's a wonderful accolade for us," she said.

"We endeavour to be environmentally friendly in everything we do.

"We can use the fact we have won this award in our marketing."

She said that, throughout 2004, the company would be concentrating on selling the product to more local authorities and to companies which hold council cleaning contracts.

"We would also like to get the water boards to endorse our product," she said.

"With other graffiti removers, when they are washed off, they go into water courses and, as most are acid-based, they can poison fish.

"Ours is neutralised when it comes into contact with water."

Innotec's success means it is automatically short-listed for entry into the European Environmental Awards.