EXPECTATIONS are higher than ever at Middlewich safety equipment manufacturer SpanSet - almost 100ft to be exact!

For the Telford Way-based firm has built an enormous new training tower which was put into practice for the first time this week.

It has been designed to provide policemen, firefighters, the armed forces, and other organisations which may have to work at dangerous heights, with the ability to cope in an emergency situation.

This could involve anything from recovering a murder weapon from the roof of a house to handling a bomb at the peak of Blackpool Tower.

SpanSet training manager Brecon Holroyd runs courses which aim to provide the client with a knowledge of safety equipment and techniques to operate safely in designated environments.

His lessons cover basic harness use and inspection through to highly specialised rope access techniques and legislation.

He has been working with the company for just six months but his vast experience stands him in good stead to cope with the demands of the job.

His previous position involved working at great height while he attached masts to the famous Millennium Dome and Brecon is also a former Royal Marine.

But he's still not made it back down to earth. He is currently training six police officers from Cheshire Constabulary in climbing and abseiling skills at SpanSet.

They then hope to pass on what they have learned to other officers in the force.

Brecon explained: "Cheshire Constabulary is here for 10 days. We have started with the basics but we will go on to more advanced techniques. They will eventually teach the course to others."

The officers taking part in the training course are Sgt Chris Jones, Crewe; Const Louise Deung, Congleton and Vale Royal Division; PC Craig Sefton, Halton Division; PC Colin Walker, Halton Division and PC Bill Bailey, Congleton and Vale Royal Division.

Sgt Jones said: "We are all members of the Cheshire Constabulary Research Team. This entails large-scale missing from home operations and murders such as the Kayleigh Ward case, and the Julia Webb murder. We look for people and evidence.

"We must now follow certain regulations under the new Police and Safety Act. Even if we are climbing two metres on to a roof, we cannot just get a ladder.

"The proper safety equipment must be used. This is why we are taking part in the course."

Paul Farr, who has been with SpanSet since it moved to Middlewich from Knutsford in August 1991, is responsible for the height safety programme.

He said: "The training course is likely to be used by firefighters and police from all over the world. A whole variety of people sign up for the course. Next week we have two people from the French Railway.

"SpanSet also manufactures the safety harnesses and equipment used for training at the Middlewich site. We are a highly specialised company and there is no other like us with such facilities to offer.

"BT and Manweb are big customers of ours and our equipment is also popular with workmen and window cleaners.

"But what we do realise is that a lot of people in Middlewich drive past the factory every day and not only wonder what SpanSet does but also what on earth people are doing climbing a pylon.

"So we are planning an open day for a Saturday in October when the public can come and see what we are all about."

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