A SOCIAL enterprise based in west Suffolk has beaten off competition from some of Britain’s leading “green” businesses to win a top award.

Aid to Hospitals Worldwide, from Bury St Edmunds, won the sustainability category at the national Chamber Awards, staged in London by British Chambers of Commerce.

And the judges were so impressed by the company that they also named it among the runners-up for the overall Outstanding Business Achievement award, earning it a �10,000 cash prize.

“Both awards have given us a huge boost,” said Mike Coleman, chief executive of Aid to Hospitals Worldwide. “They represent the hard work put in by our staff and volunteers.”

Aid for Hospitals Worldwide refurbishes and recycles redundant hospital equipment, with its services being endorsed by the NHS Sustainable Development Unit under its Recycling for Reuse programme for NHS Hospitals.

“The Sustainability Award means our efforts to support the medically deprived all over the world has double benefits,” said Mr Coleman. “For them it brings good, usable equipment to aid their healthcare and for the UK it reflects a responsible and structured approach to utilising waste.”

He added: “The icing on the cake, however, was the Outstanding Business Award, which brought �10,000 in its wake. Every penny counts in today’s economy and this will give us greater flexibility.”

Representatives from Suffolk Chamber of Commerce were at the ceremony to witness the firm’s success, which follows on from a victory in the regional Chamber Awards for the East of England.

John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber, said: “It’s great to see a commercially viable business that’s also delivering environmental and social benefits at home and abroad and Suffolk can rightly proud of their achievements.”