A FIRM has had its phone bill cut by £1,000 by telephone giant BT.

Instant Search, based in George Street, Whalley, sells company reports and other information and was one of ten runners-up in a competition run by BT.

The prize was £1,000 worth of free business calls for the company which gives customers around the globe financial information 24 hours a day.

The firm uses the latest telecommunications technology, including Internet web sites and e-mail.

The BT Work Smarter Awards, run in association with the Mail On Sunday, recognise the importance of communications to business success.

Sue Davidson, director of BT Business Connections, said: "The firm has proved that an innovative approach to communications can provide huge business benefits.

"Today's businesses need to work smarter, not just harder and it was encouraging to see so many firms making good use of the latest technology."

BT external relations manager Alan Roberts presented the award to Instant Search's Anthony Capstick and his wife, Katie.

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