URENCO (Capenhurst) Ltd has been praised for its performance in safeguarding the environment.

At the latest Local Liaison Committee meeting the site was commended for its 'high standards' and 'commitment to continual improvement'.

Urenco's Capenhurst site is part of Urenco Ltd, a European energy company which supplies the international nuclear industry with uranium enrichment services and advanced enrichment technologies and expertise.

Speaking at the meeting, Environment Agency inspector for the site, Steve Fisher, said: 'All of Urenco's radioactive discharges are well within the authorised limits.

'The Environment Agency and Food Standards Agency undertake an independent comprehensive programme of monitoring in the environment around the Capenhurst site which confirms that the impact of Urenco's discharges on the public and the environment are negligible.'

The borough council's head of environmental services, Mike Whittaker, said: 'I have been involved with the Local Liaison Committee since Urenco Capenhurst's formation in 1993 and it is clear that health, safety and the environment are of prime importance to the company.

'Urenco has a long record of open and honest reporting on its health, safety and environmental performance.

'The Local Liaison Committee also receives regular reports from the Nuclear Installation Inspectorate and the Environment Agency on the findings from their independent inspections of operations on the Urenco site.'

Capenhurst and Ledsham Village Parish Councillor Renee Bebbington said: 'I've lived in Ledsham village for most of my life and have always been very impressed by Urenco's commitment to the local community and the environment.

'Urenco regularly attends our parish council meetings to inform us of their site operations.

'I have visited the site on a number of occasions and have always found the visits to be enjoyable and informative.'

Urenco Capenhurst managing director Paul Harding said: 'One of the cornerstones of our operations is a commitment to the continual improvement of our health, safety and environmental performance.

'It is great to be recognised for the hard work the team at Urenco Capen-hurst put into these areas by one of our most important stakeholder groups - our local community.'