EAST Lancashire-based organisations are winners in a "green honours list".

Lancashire County Council, a scout group from Rossendale and a bed and breakfast business in Waddington are among the winners of honours in the Queen Mother's Birthday Awards, organised by the Tidy Britain Group, of which the Queen Mother is patron.

The council received its award for the positive approach it has taken to get local people involved in environmental improvement.

It has provided vital funding for projects including the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's Grimewatch competition, which encourages and rewards people who join in green schemes - and has won Queen Mother's Birthday Awards itself on several occasions.

The council is also a major supporter of the Sustainable Communities Programme, which encourages people in South West Burnley and other parts of Lancashire to lead greener lifestyles.

The 38th Rossendale Scout Group has won an award for turning the area around its headquarters into a pleasant area for the community to enjoy. The scouts have cleared rubbish and waste from the area and planted and preserved trees.

Peter Barn Country House in the Forest of Bowland is a bed and breakfast with an environmental theme. The business considers how much energy and water it wastes, uses recycled paper in its brochures and distributes environmental information to all its guests. David Smith, Tidy Britain Group's regional director for the North West, said: "These awards demonstrate that people from all walks of life in Lancashire are taking an active interest in caring for their environment.

"This is an extremely positive example to businesses, councils and individuals across the country, who could learn a lot from the people we are honouring here."

The awards were presented at a ceremony in Knowsley.

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