Bass Brewers, which employs 123 people at the Tower Brewery, Tadcaster, keeps up the good work which earned the company so much praise as finalists of last year's Evening Press Business Awards.

Once again, the brewery is seeking the Best Environmental Company accolade along with the Progress Through People Award.

Tadpole Cutting, the wildlife garden it created from an area of old railway line once used for coal delivery and beer distribution, has inspired other "green" approaches such as recycling plastic caps from kegs.

Future plans for the wildlife nature reserve are to lay a woodland walk by cutting steps into one side of the area and clearing of a natural path to reveal its profusion of woodland flowers and plants.

Ultimately, says the company, "we see the area as not only a pleasant place for employees, but also an educational area where local children will be able to learn about conservation, waste management, geology and history."

Progressing through people was never more important for Bass this year, with a steadily declining beer market of 0.5 to one per cent by volume per annum - putting pressure on staff to produce beer at best quality and lowest cost, yet at the same time offer top customer service.

As part of that grand plan Bass is coming to the end of an 18-month, £150,000 commitment to develop 16 engineers and electricians, with a follow-up NVQ programme to multi-skill each discipline.

Employees in all departments have been given the chance to take further education. In the brewing and packaging departments alone 35 people passed through an NVQ II programme in food and drink. And there have been successes in brewing skills.