One of Cornwall’s leading heating, plumbing and electrical companies is aiming to become an accredited Living Wage employer.

Blue Flame Heating, which is based in Penryn, launched the initiative to coincide with its 30th anniversary.

The company, which has over 90 staff and supports 12,000 customers across Cornwall, has set the target to become accredited within the next 12 months.

Blue Flame business development director, Simon Foxhall, said: “As we’re all aware, the cost of living is increasing and we feel it is important to recognise and reward the efforts of every employee.

“We have got a committed and hardworking team, which was highlighted during the recent cold snap when we recorded our busiest week ever, who pull out all the stops to help our customers across Cornwall.

“We are proud that all of our staff are already paid above the National Minimum wage, however, we are going one step further to recognise their contribution to our success.”

With just under 4,000 accredited Living Wage companies in the UK, Foxhall and his co-directors, Mark Bolitho and Paul Smith, want Blue Flame to lead the way in Cornwall as an “exemplar” employer.

Since being founded in 1988, the company has launched its own apprenticeship academy and won numerous awards for staff development.

Blue Flame’s training and compliance director, Paul Smith, said: “It’s been 25 years since we launched our first apprenticeship programme and during that time over 70 people have been through the scheme, many of whom still work for us today.

“It’s brilliant that we can continue this support for our staff by working towards Living Wage accreditation.”