A £300,000-a-year contract has been awarded to the Darwen branch of a safety product manufacturer by Lancashire County Council.

The Darwen branch of ARCO, based on Blackburn Interchange Trade Park, Commercial Road, will supply gloves, safety footwear, high-visibility clothing and respiratory equipment for the engineering services and highways departments until the March 2011.

Arco are the UK's leading supplier of personal protective equipment.

Mike Ludbrook, ARCO's branch manager in Darwen explains: "We won this contract as we've worked closely with the county council, helping it to fulfil its health and safety requirements.

"Our comm-itment to accuracy and detail, plus regular communication with the client played a big part."

The contract was won after a competitive tender process during which Arco worked closely with Council Safety Officers.

Tony Ashcroft, the council's procurement contracts manager said: "Lancashire County Council is pleased to be working with ARCO and supporting the local business community."