PRESTON Borough Council has been judged as one of the most environmentally friendly authorities in the country.

In this year's prestigious Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice, the local council fought off competition from 180 other authorities to take the National Silver Trophy.

Judges paid tribute to their success saying that officials had used their imagination and determination to fight against the town's reputation for being one of the country's most deprived areas.

They said: "The establishment of a new woodland in each borough has done much to change this image and the concept of 21 new woods for the 21st century has certainly captured the imagination and support of their residents."

Michael Cooke, chairman of the judges, said the competition was stronger than ever this year and commented: "The aim of the Green Apple Awards is to recognise and reward environmental best practice and then to publicise the efforts of our winners, so that others might learn from their experience and follow their good example."

The awards, organised by the Green Organisation, with support from the CIEH, Municipal Journal, Icelandair and contract publishers EMP Plc, are now in the seventh successful year and have become one of the most aspirational environmental honours for local authorities.

Winners were announced at a special presentation luncheon attended by 300 guests at London's Cafe Royal, hosted by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.