THE finalists in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's prestigious Grimewatch competition have been chosen.

More than 135 entries were received - the highest number in Grimewatch's 10-year history.

Hundreds of people across East Lancashire have been involved in all kinds of environmental projects, ranging from landscaping schemes to recycling initiatives.

The judges - Editor Peter Butterfield, Adrian Blundell of Groundwork, nature expert Ron Freethy and Tidy Britain Group regional director David Smith - had the difficult task of selecting the best.

Mr Butterfield said: "This has been a record year for Grimewatch and we had more entries than ever to work through. We were pleased to see such a good response in this, our 10th anniversary year.

"The judging really was very difficult because there were so many entries of such high quality."

Shortlisted entrants will be invited to the Grimewatch Awards ceremony, to be held at St Christopher's High School, Accrington, on March 23.

The shortlisted entries are:

Nursery schools - Lee Royd Nursery, Accrington; Turncroft Nursery School, Darwen; Accrington Road, Nursery School, Burnley.

Primary schools - Hargher Clough Junior School, Burnley; Blacko School, Blacko; Read CE Primary, Read; St James CE School, Clitheroe.

Secondary schools - Blackamoor Special School, Blackburn; Moorhead High School, Accrington; Moorland High School, Darwen.

Business - Gaskell Textiles, Oswaldtwistle; Hilden Manufacturing, Oswaldtwistle; Imperial Home Decor Group, Darwen.

Community - Rishton Prospects Panel; Shadsworth Neighbourhood Centre; Stacksteads Youth Club; Lyndale Litterbug Eaters, Haslingden.

Local authority - Burnley Council (Forest of Burnley); Blackburn with Darwen Council (Hot House); Blackburn with Darwen Council (Witton Country Park)

Heritage - Burnley Council (Burnley Town Hall restoration); Ribble Valley Conservation Group; St Mary's Burial Ground, Clayton-le-Moors.

Long-term - Lomeshaye Marsh, Nelson; James and Julie Walsh, Helmshore; Foxhill Bank Nature Reserve, Oswaldtwistle.

The winners of the Grimebuster of the Year and Junior Grimebuster of the Year titles will be announced at the awards ceremony.

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