<p>A valve assembly 1 comprises a valve body 2 having a bore and a spindle 20 received within the bore which is movable to open and close the valve. The spindle 20 has an axially upstream end arranged towards the fluid pathway and an opposing downstream end. A first seal 50 is provided about the spindle 20 between the spindle and the bore and a biasing element 64 is arranged to impart an axial compressive force to the seal 50. The biasing element 64 is located within the valve body 2 between the spindle 20 and the bore on the downstream side of the seal 50 to enable a more direct compressive force to be applied to the seal to improve sealing efficiency.</p>
