RIBBLE Valley's Calderstones NHS Trust has won a National training Award for 2004.

Calderstones provides specialist services to people with a range of learning disabilities.

The Trust won the award in recognition of a training programme that was launched to teach staff how to deal with violence in the workplace.

Mark Aberdein, a workforce skills adviser at the Learning Skills Council, said: "At LSC Lancashire we aim to encourage all local businesses to provide training for their staff through programmes such as the employer training pilot.

"Calderstones has done an exceptional job and was the only NHS Trust short-listed for the awards. I am delighted that the team's hard work has been officially recognised."

Ian Hall, training manager at the Trust, added: "It was a great honour when we heard our name read out and the fact we have won will take some time to sink in.

"We are thrilled to have won and all the staff who have helped make the training programme a success should be congratulated."