Shanks Group plc (SKS.LN), a waste management group

MAIN FACTS: announced Thursday that it has signed a 25-year Public-Private Partnership (PPP) waste disposal contract with Cumbria County Council worth around GBP720 million.

-Financial closure of the 220,000 tonne per annum contract was reached with a syndicate of three banks - Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMFJY), Barclays (BARC.LN) and NIBC.

-Shanks will develop two Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facilities

-This will enable Cumbria to divert 67% of its household waste from landfill by 2015.

-By London Bureau, Dow Jones Newswires; +44 (0)20 7842 9296; ian.walker@dowjones.com