A Newent-based housing association can claim truly golden success when it comes to its health and safety procedures.

For five years in a row, Two Rivers Housing, based at Cleeve Mill Lane, Newent, has achieved top gold-level results in the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) health and safety awards.

And this year the consistent performance has been recognised with the award of a gold medal from ROSPA.

A Two Rivers spokesman said: "This year's fifth gold-level achievement demonstrates Two Rivers Housing's ongoing commitment to raising health and safety standards and to be part of the longest running and most highly respected occupational safety awards programme.

"The additional award of a gold medal shows how working practice standards are being maintained year after year, and it is a testament to the hard work and sustained efforts of all of the Two Rivers staff, which help to keep tenants, employees, contractors and members of the public safe."

Garry King, chief executive at Two Rivers Housing added: "It is important for us to achieve high standards, but it is absolutely vital we maintain them over the long term, and we have achieved that by putting robust processes and procedures in place."

Two Rivers Housing is a not-for-profit community organisation providing affordable homes for communities in both Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

It recently reported an annual turnover of £22m.

In 2003 the housing association took on the properties previously owned and managed by the Forest of Dean District Council, and it currently own 4000 homes across Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.