GATWICK has won an internationally recognised award for health and safety.

The Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) presented the airport with its President’s Award, given to organisations that have sustained high health and safety standards for ten or more years.

The honour recognised Gatwick’s work to ensure its staff, customers and contractors get home safely at the end of every working day.

Julie Medina, head of health, safety and environment at Gatwick, said: “We are extremely proud to receive this award which recognises the hard work and dedication that all our teams have put into ensuring everyone at Gatwick is kept as safe as possible.

“The health and safety of our staff, passengers and contractors is our highest priority and we will continue to ensure that it is embedded into everything we do.”

Nearly 2,000 entrants vie to achieve the highest possible accolade in the industry awards - the longest-running of its kind in the UK.

RoSPA’s achievements director Julia Small said: “This is a fantastic and well-deserved accomplishment. All our award entrants demonstrate their unwavering commitment and passion for keeping people safe at work.

“By receiving this recognition, Gatwick Airport joins like-minded businesses and organisations worldwide who represent the very best in their approach to health and safety.

“I would like to add my personal thanks for all the work that it has taken to secure this well-deserved award - congratulations to all those involved, who champion and drive-up health and safety standards every day.

“You are a fantastic example to others in your sector.”

RoSPA awards go to the best entries in 31 industry sectors, including construction, healthcare, transport, engineering, manufacturing and education.

Open for commercial flights since 1933, Gatwick Airport saw more than six million people pass through its terminals last year.

Expansion plans could see the airport convert its emergency runway for routine flights, which would see its annual passenger capacity increase from 62 million to 75 million by 2038.