ENVIRONMENTAL parishioners have become the first in East Lancashire to be named as an "eco-congregation".

Schemes, including having a recycling collection point at the back of the church, re-using rain water and encouraging worshippers to be more environmentally friendly, have led to the prize.

St Leonard's Church in Balderstone has won the award and become one of only 73 churches in the country to be recognised for the feat.

Vicar at the church, Dr James Garrard, said it was important to be more environmentally friendly and "care for God's creation".

He said: "We have done a lot of hard work over the last two years and it is great to get the official confirmation that we are an eco-congregation.

"It has been a really positive experience for everyone involved with the church and one we are keen to keep up the momentum with."

The prize was awarded by ENCAMS, which runs the Keep Britain Tidy Campaign, and the Environmental Issues Network of Churches.

It aims to encourage churches to consider environmental issues within a Christian context and enable local churches to make positive contributions to their communities.

As well as positioning a recycling point at the church a wildflower meadow in part of the churchyard was created.

Bird boxes were put up and a water butt was attached to the church to collect rainwater to be re-used.

Members of the congregation have been given free low energy light bulbs, cotton shopping bags and water hippos, devices to reduce the amount of water wasted when flushing the toilet.

A vegetable garden was also started.

Jo Rathbone from Eco Congregation said the church had grasped the idea and was an inspiration to the community around it.

She said: "The scheme encourages churches to weave environmental issues into everything that they do.

"At Balderstone the church has been very enthusiastic and they have put some great schemes in place