SISTER firms Riva and Denise Fabrics are enjoying the fruits of their family's labour.

The two Blackburn companies have been awarded the Investors in People standard and joined forces for a double celebration.

Riva Fabrics is a textile convertor mainly for bedmakers and window blind manufacturers and Denise Fabrics designs and manufactures ready made curtains.

Ian Aitcheson, managing director of the two firms, reviewed the training programmes available to all staff, including himself, as part of the programme.

"Now every single member of staff has access to relevant NVQ training.

"The early signs are that this will make a big difference to achieving our goal of profitable growth," said Mr Aitcheson.

He took part in ELTEC's NVQ5 management programme as part of the initiative.

Four other East Lancashire organisations also recently achieved the Investors in People award: Nelson-based Printoff Graphic Arts, The Dunkenhalgh Hotel, charity Nightsafe and St Thomas' CE primary, all Blackburn.

The training division of Enterprise plc, with centres in Burnley and Blackburn, achieved re-recognition under the scheme.

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