Smoothies, fruit and healthy soups have been the order of the day at Lochaber Enterprise in the last few months as the local enterprise company encouraged a healthier and happier approach to life at work.

The health kick has resulted in the company gaining a silver award in Scotland's Health at Work (SHAW) programme - a national award which rewards employers who demonstrate commitment to improving the health and ultimately the performance of their workforce.

Events included staff taking it in turns to make homemade healthy soup and smoothies as part of their 'Souper Thursdays' and 'Smoothie Tuesdays' to help promote healthy eating in a fun and enjoyable way. Staff also undertook a walking challenge using pedometers, aiming for 10,000 steps a day.

Alison Boyle, development manager from Lochaber Enterprise said: "We have covered numerous health campaigns as part of the SHAW award including no smoking days, drug and alcohol awareness, breast and bowel cancer awareness, men's and women's health weeks, breastfeeding and a sexual health week.

"These have proved very successful with all staff at Lochaber Enterprise and everyone has played their part. Our company is far healthier and more motivated as a result."

Chief executive of Lochaber Enterprise Charlotte Wright said: "We are only the fourth organisation in the Highlands to gain a silver SHAW award, having achieved the bronze just nine months earlier.

"Events took place around lunchtimes and tea breaks and the campaigns and events helped generate a lot of discussion on healthy eating and the benefits of physical activity. Lochaber Enterprise is a better place to work as a result of the SHAW programme and I would encourage other employers to investigate its benefits as well."

Lochaber Enterprise is now aiming for the gold SHAW award.

Further information on the SHAW programme is available at www.shaw.uk.com