Wirral-based Howard Basford, the UK independent bodyshop chain, has been nominated for a green award following a £55,000 investment in an environment- friendly spray paint shop at its Aintree branch.

The revamp of the spray paint unit with specially sourced low emission and energy saving equipment is part of a £100,000 re-fit of the entire Long Lane site which employs 36 people.

Howard Basford chairman Tracy Howard, speaking from the company's Ledsham HQ said: "I am delighted that the Merseyside Business Environment Network has nominated us for the award. However, the environmentally-friendly paint unit is just one part of a re-fit which is taking place across the site. We are also having the administration offices rebuilt."

Howard said that the Aintree Branch was now one of the company's most successful branches with a £2 million annual turnover.

"It is particularly gratifying when you consider that we purchased that site out of receivership in February 2004 when it was known as The Accident Repair Centre," he added.

Howard said the current round of improvements at the branch would bring total investment to more than £400,000 across the group.