DOZENS of workers at a Huddersfield firm are helping to make the town a better place.

The staff from Cummins Turbo Technologies are leading the way in helping to protect the local environment.

The Huddersfield-based company has partnered with the Kirklees Council’s Countryside Unit to undertake environmental conservation projects.

Over the last year, come wind, rain or shine, the company’s employees have contributed to a number of successful projects

And they plan to do even more in 2013.

All employees are given a minimum of four hours from their normal job roles to get involved with projects like those run by the council’s Countryside Unit to improve the environment.

Melanie Reid, community involvement team coordinator at Cummins, said: “Corporate social responsibility is high on Cummins agenda.

“We recognise the importance of putting something back into the community and improving the local environment, but the company also benefits through this initiative in a number of ways.

“The projects are great for team-building because employees are faced with situations they may not normally find themselves in with their peers and co-workers.

“This has often meant that skills not normally displayed in the day to day work place are brought to the fore.

“Employees are also learning new skills, which can add to the individual’s knowledge base and be applied to the work environment.” An example of the scheme is the Great Crested Newt Link Project in the Denby Dale area.

The project aims to increase the breeding range of two isolated colonies of great crested newts and eventually link the colonies by creating new wetland habitats and improving the existing habitat along the Kirklees Light Railway.

Cummins’ volunteers worked on digging a new pond and enjoyed it so much they have volunteered to come back to install the liner to see their part of the project through to completion.

Clr Peter McBride, Kirklees Cabinet member for Place, said: “The links between the council and Cummins Turbo Technologies have grown over the last year or so.

“We have had 47 Cummins employees attend sessions improving the environment for the benefit of the Great Crested Newt which equates to 252 volunteer hours last year on this project alone.

“Over the last year 196 volunteers have taken part in projects with the Countryside Unit which is equivalent to 1,084 hours of work completed.

“This reciprocal relationship is great for the Countryside Unit and for Cummins.

“The company gets to put something back into their local environment and develop their staff, while we get to spread the word about the work we are doing and get a workforce to help with project delivery for the betterment of the environment.”