Cheshire CC has announced its shortlist of four contractors for its 25-year PFI waste-treatment contract. A total of 13 companies originally applied, but only four have been shortlisted. They are Shanks Waste Management in combination with INEOS Chlor, United Utilities, Viridor Waste Management, and the Waste Recycling Group. The council expects to announce the successful company early in 2009. ‘We should like to thank all the companies for their participation in what was a fair and robust evaluation,' said a council spokesman.