A PAINT factory's success in going green has helped its parent company hit a target three years ahead of schedule.

A review of chemical giant Akzo Nobel's environmental achievements found it has already achieved targets set for the year 2000.

And the Darwen site, which produces the Crown paints brand, has been one of its star performers.

The decorative coatings division has been running a programme to cut down on waste as part of a company-wide initiative. Between 1996 and 1887 it achieved a reduction in waste of paint of more than 18 per cent cent and reduced waste of white spirit by a third.

It has also looked at recycling waste include flouresent light tubes, scrap metal.

Even plastic cups from vending machines at the factory are recycled.

"We are obviously pleased to meet our environmental targets for 2000 three years early," said Cees van Lede, chairman of Akzo Nobel.

"Further developments this year will give us the opportunity to establish new targets."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.