APPRENTICES are helping a Cross Hills chemical company to achieve a winning formula.

Airedale Chemical has taken on more young recruits and is planning to further strengthen its intake across several departments – including engineering, health and safety and finance.

Among the latest to join the Skipton Road firm is Lucy Sage, from Silsden.

She has been recruited as a safety health and environment technician.

Working alongside head of regulatory, Andrew Ramsey, Lucy will help identify health and safety issues and provide advice to the business and staff.

She will also conduct fire training, risk assessments and site inspections.

Before joining Airedale Chemical, she completed an applied medical science extended diploma at Craven College in Skipton and gained work experience at Keighley Labs.

“I have always been interested in health and safety as a close family member specialised within this field,” said Lucy.

“After studying at college I developed an understanding for chemicals and the precautions associated with them.

“This apprenticeship gives me the opportunity to put all the theory I have learned into practice in a working environment.

“I live locally and have always been fascinated by Airedale Chemical – and I’m looking forward to an exciting career ahead.”

Mr Ramsey welcomed the appointment.

He said: “It’s a pleasure to have Lucy on board.

“She’s learned impressive theory at college and it’s fantastic to see her applying this in her role.

“We’re all really looking forward to watching her develop and hope this will be the start of a long-term career for her.”

The company has also recently recruited an apprentice maintenance engineer, Josh Thorburn, from Haworth.

He is working alongside Airedale Chemical’s six-strong maintenance team to maintain and regularly check equipment at the site.

The family-owned company was founded nearly five decades ago.

Based at Cross Hills since 1994, it currently employs just over 100 people.

It manufactures chemicals and distributes them across Britain and Europe, to markets including manufacturing, detergency and dairy.