BURY companies are invited to "sample" the expertise of a neighbouring business.

For Biwater Treatment Ltd (Heywood) has now thrown open its new laboratory facility to firms in Bury, Middleton and Rochdale.

Biwater, which used to be known as Ames Crosta Babock, specialises in water and wastewater engineering.

The laboratory receives a wide variety of samples from a range of industry types and in the past these have included elephant waste to washing up liquid.

Stephen Pickford of Biwater explained: "This unique facility was previously used for internal projects only.

"Due to the high level of interest received from several outside companies, Biwater have invested heavily in this facility and have now decided to make it available to outside companies and the public."