WORKERS at a Bury plant and machinery hire firm have met with their MP to demonstrate how businesses can protect the environment while boosting skills.

Staff at Garic, based at Kingfisher Park, Aviation Road, welcomed Bury South MP Christian Wakeford, who is also a member of the Conservative Environment Network, to showcase eco-friendly products such as the company's welfare units and lighting.

The Bury company also showcased how they collaborate with local students to develop skills, through Manchester Business School and Greater Manchester based universities and provide the opportunities for apprentices to build their skills at the company.

Mr Wakeford said: "It was fantastic to visit the local rail site Garic to learn more about the industry’s decarbonisation efforts.

"Many businesses are already embracing the need to decarbonise their operations, and the government’s transport decarbonisation plan will help businesses with confidence and clarity on the steps they must take on the pathway to net zero.

"As a Conservative Environment Network net zero champion, I look forward to working in partnership with the government and businesses on future action and strategies to realise the net zero ambition together."

Meanwhile staff at the Bury firm were glad of the opportunity to showcase what they could do for the environment.

Garic CEO Mark Albiston said: "The visit was a great opportunity for us to showcase Garic’s range of low carbon products and how we are supporting the rail industry on their decarbonisation journey.

"Our eco credentials and reducing emissions is something we’re really passionate about so it was great to talk in length to Christian, who was equally as passionate, about how we’re helping our customers on their journey to Net Zero – and of course about our own journey too.

"It was encouraging to talk about job creation opportunities within Garic and the wider industry too.

"We’re continually looking at ways to bring in new talent to the business, in turn strengthening our industry’s capabilities, and talking about our apprenticeship programme with Christian was really insightful."

The visit was part of the Railway Industry Association’s rail fellowship programme, which encourages MPs to gain hands-on experience of the rail sector, with site visits taking place in their local area.

Public affairs director Max Sugarman said: "We are proud that the Programme has facilitated these vital discussions on reducing our emissions and showcased a business that is supporting these decarbonisation efforts.

"We would like to thank Christian Wakeford MP and Garic for making this visit possible."