ESSEX-based High Court enforcement agency Shergroup has gone the extra mile - rather several thousand - when it comes to community outreach. The Braintree company has just completed its first year of supporting work with pupils at a school in India - and was able to celebrate in style with exposure on an Indian television news channel.

ESSEX-based High Court enforcement agency Shergroup has gone the extra mile - rather several thousand - when it comes to community outreach.

The Braintree company has just completed its first year of supporting work with pupils at a school in India - and was able to celebrate in style with exposure on an Indian television news channel.

Shergroup is one of just a handful of UK companies committed to developing close links with primary schools including many children from challenging backgrounds in India.

It has become a leading brand for outsourced services to the credit industry in India, and its partnership with the 700-pupil Adarsh Prathmike Vidyala primary school in Noida, Shergroup's base in the state of Uttar Pradesh, is flourishing as well.

Shergroup's chief executive, Claire Sandbrook, has forged a personal relationship with the school and Shergroup's support attracted the attention of Indian TV channel Pehli Khabar (First News) which covered her latest visit to meet headmistress Mrs Usha Bhalla.

Among the range of provisions which Shergroup has given to the school are notebooks, stationary, chairs and a table for the headmistress's office, a water tank for making safe and hygienic drinking water available for the children. - and chocolates and drinks for each child.

Shergroup's India operation includes 41 specialist staff who together make up one of the leading providers of outsourced business services, specialising in enforcement, security, legal and IT solutions.

Services include administrative support, communications such as writing letters and emails, debt recovery, website design, data collation and transcription services. Modern data links and technologies mean the processes can be carried out quickly, whatever the time difference.

Ravi Bhalla, Shergroup's offshore operations manage and head of the India operation, said: “Shergroup's work with the school is another example of how seriously the company takes its social and corporate responsibilities and its commitment to local communities.

“The links between Shergroup and the school provide mutual benefits which can be send every day in the community life of the primary school.”

Claire Sandbrook added: “The team in India was set up in 2007 and we are very proud of the way it has gone from strength to strength and is consistently building up important social and cultural links with the wider community - especially with the Noida primary school which is close to all our hears.

“Shergroup's India operation is a vital part of our business and as a results-driven team they are playing a major role in the development of the company across the globe.”