AN ANDOVER shopping centre has been recognised for the sixth year running for its commitment to health and safety.

The Chantry Centre has been awarded a Gold Medal from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Health and Safety Awards.

The accolade recognises achievement in health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

Centre manager Steve Cotney said: “We take health and safety very seriously at the Chantry Centre.

“It is even more satisfying when this recognition achieves a Gold Medal Award.

“What makes receiving this accolade even more special is that this is the sixth consecutive year that we have received a Gold Award in recognition of our effort and this is down to the excellent team that works in the centre who makes sure that our health and safety standards are consistently kept at a very high level.”

The team from the centre will be presented with the award during a ceremony at the ExCeL, in London, on June 19.

The majority of awards are non-competitive and mark achievement at merit, bronze, silver and gold levels.

But some awards hold a competitive nature including the best entries in 24 industry sectors including construction, healthcare, transport and logistics, engineering, manufacturing and education.

Gold medals, president’s awards, orders of distinction and the Patron’s Award are presented to organisations sustaining the high standards of the gold level over consecutive years.

Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of qualifications, awards and events, said: “The RoSPA Awards are the most highly-respected in the health and safety arena, with almost 2,000 entrants every year, and allow organisations to prove excellence in the workplace, demonstrating a commitment to the wellbeing of not only employees but all those who interact with it.”

The awards also highlight specialist accolades for health at work, environmental management and fleet safety.

There are also excellence trophies for the best international, new entry, workforce involvement and organisation operating or based in Scotland in the RoSPA awards.