ONE of East Lancashire's largest employers has been awarded the highest environmental accolade from a charity fighting to protect the world's forests.

Kitchen, bedroom and bathroom manufacturer JJO has received the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.

James Casey, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager, said: “This award is the ultimate recognition for our environmental practices and gives us the upmost credibility with both customers and business partners.

“Not only will the certification assure customers that all our products are environmentally sourced from forests that are managed to meet the guidelines as set out by the FSC, but it will also allow us access to highly environmentally sensitive markets.

“We’ve worked tirelessly to identify the areas where we can make a difference both from a business point of view and for the environment and this really is the last piece in our environmental jigsaw; it really marks us out as environmental champions.”

The FSC is a charity which promote responsible management of the world’s forests. Its main tools are standard setting, independent certification and labeling of forest products. This offers customers around the world the ability to choose products from socially and environmentally responsible forestry Charles Thwaites , executive director of FSC, said: "This shows the firm's statement of intent that the timber has not been illegally logged, they've not killed orangutans getting it or displaced indiginous people and all the other horrible things that could happen.

"We always want to support companies when they make a commitment to FSC as they are getting the word out and doing something for the worlds' forests."

There are 12 furniture firms in Lancashire with the certificate. In total, there are 2,261 Chain of Custody certificates in the UK and 23,889 worldwide.