A MULTI award-winning Steeton company has received a coveted accreditation.

Acorn Stairlifts has become a member of the Trading Standards-approved Buy With Confidence initiative.

The venture was set-up by a partnership of local authority Trading Standards services in response to growing concerns about rogue traders and unscrupulous practices.

It is now the biggest scheme of its kind in the UK.

To become a member, businesses have to be fully vetted and endorsed and their conduct is continually monitored.

The website – buywithconfidence.gov.uk – provides customers searching for a particular product or service with lists of accredited traders.

Acorn Stairlifts company secretary, Dave Belmont, said the firm was proud to become a member.

"The Buy With Confidence scheme is a great way for people to find a reputable business which will treat them fairly and deliver on its promises," he said.

"Membership gives our customers another level of assurance that they are dealing with a trustworthy and respectable business which has been diligently checked by Trading Standards."

The Station Road company has developed a proactive relationship with West Yorkshire Trading Standards, which led to it recently being highly commended in the national Primary Authority Awards.

The accolades were launched by the Government's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, to recognise outstanding work.

Acorn is the only stairlifts supplier to ever have been commended in the awards scheme.

Tim Isaac, Buy With Confidence operations group project officer, said he was pleased to welcome the firm aboard.

"It successfully completed our extensive vetting and background checks," he added.

"During the inspections and audit visit Acorn showed its dedication to customer service and through its Primary Authority relationship with West Yorkshire Trading Standards service, it has demonstrated its commitment to protecting consumer rights.

"Buy With Confidence Trading Standards-approved status is only open to those who have proved they are committed to operating in a legal, honest and fair way, and we believe Acorn has done just that."

Mr Belmont added: "Trading Standards is the organisation most people think of for sound consumer advice, or the one they turn to when things go wrong, so Acorn is committed to working closely with the service now and in the future.

"We are delighted to become a member of its Buy With Confidence scheme."

Visit buywithconfidence.org.uk for more details of the initiative.