FIRMS in Blackburn, Burnley, Accrington, Nelson and the Ribble Valley picked up awards at the Lancashire ‘green Oscars’.

The 11 winners were hailed champions of sustainable enterprise at Lancashire Business Environment Awards ceremony, at Rovers’ Ewood Park ground.

Blackburn’s Gilbraith Transport Services won the top prize for energy efficiency in small and medium sized enterprises with Accrington’s Cardboard Box Company runner-up.

The energy efficiency award for large companies went to Burnley’s VEKA UK Group just ahead Lucite International from Darwen and Blackburn’s The Mall shopping centre.

The waste minimisation award was taken by Blackburn distribution firm MDA while Incredible Edible Rossendale took the social enterprise prize for environmental achievement.

Kirk Environmental of Nelson won the environmental innovation award for small and medium sized enterprises with Clitheroe’s Paper Cup Company among the runners-up. The community contribution award for large companies went to Darwen firm Crown Paints.

Altham furniture giant Senator took the top prize in sustainable business for large companies with Neales Waste management of Blackburn a runner up. The Wellbeing Farm in Edgworth was a finalist in the same category.

Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn, won the prestigious Environmental Champion award.

The awards were organised by Newground, formerly Groundwork Pennine Lancashire, which helps create better neighbourhoods where people live and work in a greener way.

Newground director Mick Smith said: “It has been inspiring to see how many businesses in Lancashire are taking a sustainable approach to their operations.”

Crown Paints won its contribution to the community award for its ‘Kick Out The Can’ recycling initiative.