Blyth-based Aps launched a packaging service earlier this year to help reduce 'product miles' and therefore its client's carbon footprint.

The company has now clinched a massive multi-million pound on-site deal with consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble.

The company will package promotional products, gift sets and displays at P&G's manufacturing facility in Thurrock, Essex in a bid to reduce their product miles.

Aps (Assembly & Packaging Services) will employ between 80 and 250 packing staff there at any one time in a bid to reduce transportation costs and the knock-on impact on the environment.

The "two plus two" deal, which is guaranteed for two years with the option of extending by a further two years, is worth £5m per annum.

Aps managing director Judith Leighton said they were delighted they could help reduce P&G's product miles.

"This will be a business within a business and we are creating a management structure to be able to manage it like a satellite business," she said.

"What we have come up with is a change in our business model and send in a 'hit squad' to the customer's site rather than doing the packing in Northumberland.

"This not only helps us to reduce the cost of moving the products backwards and forwards, like the food miles concept, but also helps the client become more environmentally efficient."

The 23-year-old business has had a relationship with P&G for 22 years but this is the first time they have used this innovative service.

Aps is one of the UK's largest contract packing organisations.

The company announced earlier this year it is helping another comany – JohnsonDiversey – to reduce its product miles by packaging goods on-site at its Derby manufacturing facility.

Aps boasts an impressive list of bluechip clients including Body Shop, Coca Cola and Peter Blacks, a supplier of Marks & Spencer.

Aps chief executive Chris Pygall added: "This contract is an illustration that we are still delivering at the highest level and will continue to do so."