A COUNCIL worker came close to sweeping the board at an awards ceremony to find the top street cleaner in the north west.

Jack Manley, from Nelson, is a road sweeper for Pendle Borough Council and beat off 80 other entrants to finish runner-up in the Lancashire Street Cleaner of the Year 2000.

Organised by Wigan-based charity Tidy Britain Group, the award was part of the Silver Broom Awards to find the North West Street Cleaner of the Year and recognises those who go the extra mile in keeping their environment safe and clean.

Jack, who has worked for the council for four years, received an engraved trophy and certificate for his efforts at an awards ceremony in Wigan. Alan Street from Blackpool Borough Council was voted the best cleaner in Lancashire and Martin Waverly of Manchester City Council scooped the north west title.

Chris Conlen, a cleansing inspector at the council, said he wished he had more workers like Jack: "He's very conscientious at his job and very helpful to the public. He never moans or complains about anything and just gets on with what he's got to do. I wish I had 100 staff like that."

David Smith, Tidy Britain Group regional director, said: "Street cleaners play a vital role in keeping our environment free of litter and waste but they so rarely get the acclaim their hard work deserves."