AN equality organisation has scored a first in the country.

Blackburn Racial Equality Council has become the latest East Lancashire employer to be awarded the Investors in People staff training and development standard.

And now it aims to encourage ethnic minority employers to follow in its footsteps.

"Our team has to be professional and caring at all times," said Tom Moorhouse, racial equality officer.

"We have always provided training but commitment to the Investors in People standard meant that our training had to be more consistent and a bigger part of our everyday working lives."

Other employers which have recently secured the IIP standard include Rossendale School, Edenfield; the Riggs and Texales Divisions of Borden Decorative Products; St Theodore's High School, Burnley; and the Rawtenstall-based Shuttleworth Veterinary Group.

Pendle Re-employment and the Responsive College Unit have recently gained re-recognition.

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