A water company has grabbed gold after making a splash with award judges.

Folkestone-based Veolia Water Southeast (VWSE) has scooped a Gold Award in the Considerate Contractor Scheme run by Kent County Council and Medway Council.

The awards are given for high standards of workmanship on the roads and pavements to contractors who operate in a safe, consistent and considerate manner.

VWSE Metering Manager Ian McAthy and Planning and Administration Assistant Helen Apsey accepted the Award for the company in a ceremony at the Ashford International Hotel.

Mr McAthy said: “It’s particularly pleasing to win this award, which sets tough targets and is based on regular site visits by well qualified inspectors. Everyone involved with streetworks activities at VWSE has made a great effort to ensure that the highest standards are maintained and we accepted the award on behalf of all these colleagues.”

The gold award is the third safety accolade won by the company - previously known as Folkestone & Dover Water Services - this year. It has previously been presented with national awards by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the British Safety Council.

Veolia Water supplies 44 million litres of water each day in South and East Kent to a population of more than 158,000 people.