BUSINESS which go out of their way to help customers are in line for recognition.

Borough trading standards chiefs have backed the government's "Consumers First" scheme aimed to highlight businesses who provide outstanding service.

Locals can nominate their favourite business or business person for an award. It could be a shop, restaurant or cinema, or even the local swimming pool.

It might be a company that makes something, delivers or repairs it. And business people themselves could nominate a company which they deal with.

Principal trading standards officer Alan Blundell said: "We welcome this scheme. There are lots of excellent businesses in the borough who go out of their way to help consumers and this award scheme will give locals the chance to give them the recognition they deserve.

"It's very easy to make a complaint about a business, and we get lots of those, but anything which makes it easier for people to express satisfaction with a service has got to be a good thing."

Nomination forms will be available from libraries and other council outlets or from the trading standards office at Wigan Town Hall (01942 827476). Awards will be made in November.

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