THE Haslingden and Helmshore Credit Union has become the first to qualify for the Government's prestigious 'Investors in People' Award.

The award is highly sought after with companies and public organisations working for years to achieve it, but the voluntary Haslingden and Helmshore Credit Union, based at Salem Street in Haslingden, has managed to do it.

East Lancashire training and Enterprise Council (ELTEC), which decided the Union was worthy of the award, said the organisation showed a strong commitment to the training of its employees and volunteers.

Bill Greenwood, the credit union officer responsible for training, said the award was just the beginning and he would be organising regular evaluations to make sure the credit union's high standards were kept high.

He also praised the help of other organisations involved with the union, including Action for Haslingden, Rossendale Borough Council and Northern Rock.

Credit union chairman Marilyn Proctor said "Volunteers discover and develop skills they did not know they had, and this will always increase their personal confidence and can often help them to get a job or promotion."

The award will be presented next month in Haslingden Public Hall.

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