A REGIONAL water company has won a national environment award because of its anti-pollution partnership with the Environment Agency.

Thames Water's role in the joint project won it the Environment Award at the Utility Industry Achievement Awards. The partnership targeted the metals finishing industry, in which metals are coated for protective or decorative purposes.

During the last four years, the two organisations have visited more than 300 businesses, and suggested improvements have reduced the potential for accidents by an estimated 35 per cent.

Thames Water's pollution control manager Malcolm Dunk said: "We are delighted to have received the award. The businesses we visited had the potential to release highly harmful materials into local rivers and streams. Our work has substantially reduced the chances of such accidents happening in the future."