PENDLE has scooped two top prizes from among more than 500 entries in an environmental awards scheme.

The borough council was awarded the regional gold and regional champion titles in the district councils category at the national Green Apple Environment Awards.

A trophy was presented at a prize-giving hosted by Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt at the House of Commons.

The organisers of the award, The Green Organisation, invite entries from any council, company or community making an effort to protect or enhance the environment.

National organiser Roger Wolens said: "All of our winners are invited to have their winning papers published in The Green Book and circulated to environmental professionals around the world so they can follow their leading examples of environmental best practice."