A LONG-RUNNING cleaning firm has been praised as a trailblazer in environmentally friendly cleaning by a Government minister.

Minister for pensions and financial inclusion, Guy Opperman, visited Clean Green Services, Benfleet Road, Hadleigh, as part of a tour of thriving and innovative businesses.

The cleaning firm has always been a forerunner in the environmentally friendly cleaning industry, and earlier this year was named Castle Point’s business of the year.

The firm will celebrate 30 years next year, and Mr Opperman insisted he will always support firms like this. Mr Opperman said: “Clean Green Services has been a trailblazer in the environmentally friendly cleaning industry for almost 30 years.

“Back in 1989 when Clean Green Services was founded by Harry and Susan Dixon not many people were talking about the impact of cleaning products on the environment, but Harry and Susan were looking ahead and set up Clean Green Services to make sure that our environment was protected for future generations.

“I am looking forward to learning from them what I can do in my home to help the environment.

“This business, and many like them all over the UK, show the spirit of innovation and dynamism at the heart of the British economy.

“In Government I will always be on the side of businesses like these and make sure we are helping these companies to grow and enrich their communities.

“The thriving job market and the record number of people saving into a workplace pension is good news for business owners and employees in Essex.”

The Tory MP hopes others will learn from the example set by the firm in the future.

He added: “As part of this drive we are promoting work and making sure that it always pays. This week we heard more good news about the UK job market.

“It is important businesses like Clean Green Services thrive so that they can continue to provide high quality jobs for the people of Benfleet for decades to come.”

And speaking after the visit, MP for Castle Point, Rebecca Harris, heaped even more praise on the company.

She said: “They are a fantastic company and the visit with the minister I think was very useful in showing them the good work of a clean business, that cares for its environment.

“It was nice to meet them as an expanding company that have a really good attitude to looking after their staff, which is family run.

“They employ staff of all ages, they look after their employees and there is a really strong relationship between them.”

Visit http://www.cleangreenservices.co.uk to find out more about the firm.