A Birmingham metal finishing company is taking EU funded advice on how to tackle hazardous waste and improve efficiency.

Ashton Moore, which employs 90 people at its plant in Legge Lane, provides finishes on metal components for clients like Rolls Royce, Messier Dowty and the Ministry of Defence.

It is taking advantage of free consultancy through the Hazred project, supported by the EU Life fund, to reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals.

After a series of visits from Hazred experts, Ashton Moore is looking at ways to reduce the amount of cyanide-based stripper and chrome treatment chemicals used to treat the metals, as well as cutting down on the amount spent on waste disposal.

Ashton Moore managing director Dr Keith Tucker said: "This is an ideal time for us to get involved in the project as we are in the process of moving to a new consolidated site in Hockley.

"Freeing-up management time is increasingly difficult so the opportunity to get external input from Hazred will really help us to focus on a few key areas where additional improvements can be made."

Hazred project manager Anna Pizzi said: "Ashton Moore has built a good foundation for environmental management which will bring them long-term benefits in improved efficiency and reduced costs."

But she added there were many more firms yet to take advantage of the environ-mental and financial benefits available in improving waste disposal systems. Hazred advice is free for companies employing fewer than 250 people.