A water company has been recognised for a training programme at a national awards ceremony.

South West Water was praised at the Water Industry Achievement Awards for the firm's sight specific training programme, which took first place in the Health and Safety category.

The training scheme was developed in order to educate managers, supervisors and site staff involved in street works, about the challenges facing people who are blind and visually impaired during road work operations.

Other companies including Balfour Beatty and Thames Water have chosen to implement the programme across various projects.

Lin Melluish, street works manager for South West Water, who took part in the training, said: “It was very thought provoking, especially when we put on sleep shades to experience what it’s like to be visually impaired.

"I only had the shades on for 10 to 12 minutes but within two minutes I was completely disorientated.”

South West Water's apprenticeship programme was also shortlisted in the People's Initiative category at the awards.

Richard Ellis, head of visual impairment services at the WESC Foundation – a specialist centre which helped to develop the training, said: "We are really pleased the training has been so well received.

"Generally people are very prepared to do what they can to support visually impaired people, if they know what practical things they can do. This training provides practical experiences which raise awareness of the difficulties experienced by blind and visually impaired pedestrians."