MONEY was flowing in the direction of a Whitefield Scout group thanks to the generosity of water company, United Utilities.

The 25th St Bernadette's Scout Group was presented with a cheque for £1,000 as a result of safety-minded workmen at the company's Prestwich Pumping Station.

The site, off Buckley Lane in Prestwich, has been undergoing a £2.1 million upgrade since May 2004 and is due for completion later this month.

The work will help improve water quality of the River Irwell by storing extra water in the sewerage network during storm conditions.

The team undertaking the work includes contractors KMI Water, United Utilities and engineering service provider Montgomery Watson Harza, who between them have clocked up 35,000 man hours at the site without losing any time through accidents.

In recognition of the flawless safety record, the companies wanted to acknowledge the efforts of others in the community and turned the hours saved into cash for St Bernadette's.

The money will be used by the Scout group to fund much-needed maintenance work to the Scout hut in Selby Avenue.

United Utilities project manager, Harvey Bebbington, said: "This milestone demonstrates the commitment of the team and the respect shown to the health and safety of each and every worker on site.

"The team has decided not to celebrate in the usual manner but to donate £1,000 to the benefit of others within the community in which we are working."

Stuart Holcroft of KMI Water added: "The Scout movement is also a fine example of teamwork and we couldn't think of more deserving recipients."