LOCAL businesses and charities employing fewer than 100 staff and with no full time health and safety advisor can improve their health and safety awareness, procedures and management by winning free professional RoSPA Health and Safety Training.

The Esso sponsored Health and Safety Scholarship programme is now in its 11th year and is open to organisations throughout the United Kingdom.

A shortlist of six organisations will be invited to interviews; from these three will each be awarded around £3,000 worth of RoSPA training, which will result in places on the National General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health training course.

The prize includes 10 days accommodation, travel, and a place at the presentation ceremony at the House of Lords on November 4, 2004. Past winners have represented a diverse range of organisations including industry, a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts, regional enterprise boards, a cleaning company, a day care centre and a printing firm.

Closing date for entries is September 17, 2004. Application forms are available from RoSPA, RoSPA House, 353 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7ST. Tel: 0121 248 2000 or can be downloaded from the Esso website www.exxonmobil.co.uk