HEALTH workers are celebrating after scoring top marks for safety in the workplace.

Three staff from Derwentside Primary Care Trust (PCT) passed an Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) course.

Anne Edwards, committee co-ordinator at Derwentside PCT headquarters, in Shotley Bridge, near Consett, Diane Belchamber, a dental nurse at Stanley Health Centre, and Kirstie Atkinson, secretary at the Therapy Centre, in Queens Road Surgery, Consett, also scored full marks in the exam.

It means they can now manage the organisation's policy and best practice in health and safety.

Twelve staff from the six PCTs across County Durham and Darlington took part in the five-day IOSH course, held at the Beamish Park Hotel.

Keith Charlton, health and safety manager for the PCT's Shared Service, said: "The PCTs are committed to providing training of a high standard to all its staff and I would like to congratulate everyone who successfully completed the recent IOSH course.

"It is extremely important to train as many staff as possible in healthy and safety and, hopefully, more staff will complete the next course, which is being held in the Darlington area during October."