FAMILIES from Burnley will be among the first in the country to find out how eco-friendly their lives are by using a home computer.

The ten families, all of whom live in the South West area of town, are taking part in a unique national survey instigated by the environment organisation Going for Green.

The computer programme they will be using has taken a year to develop and could soon be introduced across Europe.

Their investigations begin next Friday, May 30, when they 'log on' to the system at Coal Clough House, Coal Clough Lane.

The venture became possible through a project known as Sustainable Communities currently running in the neighbourhood and designed to improve living conditions and the environment.

Organiser Philip Taylor said: "This new program allows people to find out just what they are doing to their environment.

"It asks families questions about their lifestyle - where they work and shop, what transport they use and about how they use and conserve energy in their homes.

"It also asks if they recycle and take part in any community activities.

"From that, people will get their 'eco-calorie' score, in other words, a measure of the effect of their lifestyle on the environment.

"A family using the bus and shopping locally will score better than a family with two cars who travel to out of town shops.

"Everyone taking part will receive tips on how they can be more environmentally friendly, because going 'green' can often save money as well."

Ideas already filtering through from Going for Green in Burnley include a gardening club, food co-op, recycling furniture and involving young people in work to spruce up the look of tatty areas of land.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.