A TAUNTON firm that takes over when people get sick or injured is also doing its bit to keep the planet healthy.

Health insurer WPA has gained recognition for its environmentally friendly approach and it plans to go even greener.

It has won IS014001 accreditation after figures showed the company had saved the equivalent electricity to have made 192,000 cuppas by automatically switching off computers after ten minutes of inactivity.

Among future targets are halving the amount of rubbish it sends to landfill by wasye minimisation and recycling.

Other initiatives include improving the natural habitat outside the head office in Blackbrook by schemes such as not clearing up grass cuttings and an awareness campaign among staff.

In the future, more staff will be able to work from home to cut carbon dioxide emissions from cars and cycle facilities will be improved.

WPA chief executive Julian Stainton said: "We recognise our responsibilities for the impacts of our activities, products and services upon the environment.

"It is our policy to strive for processes, systems and activities that reduce these impacts and prevent pollution, locally, regionally and globally.

"It not only makes great environmental sense but also business sense with energy prices projected to rise dramatically.

"And imagine the impact on the environment if 100, 200 or 1000 companies achieve what we have done."