ENVIRONMENTALLY-friendly companies throughout Bury could clean up to the tune of £20,000 each.

For three awards totalling £60,000 are now available for local businesses for environmental improvements to their premises.

Schemes that may qualify include:

Improving conditions and external appearance of buildings

Improving access, car parking and servicing

Improving derelict and vacant land

Bringing back into use vacant buildings.

The scheme is being targeted at privately-owned companies which employ less than 250 staff with a turnover not exceeding £30 million.

These awards are funded by Bury Strategic Partnership (SRB), using SRB cash, and are promoted by Bury's Business Environment Association (BEA) in partnership with Bury Council.

One company which has benefited under last year's initiative is Radcliffe-based Colour Anodising.

The firm has just received £20,000 to help with environmental work involved in the expansion of its base in Holland Street. Firms qualifying for the latest round of awards will be decided by an independent panel, based on the principles of best value and greatest environmental improvement that each proposed scheme will make.

Three or even four awards of up to £20,000 will be made, depending on the number of applicants and the quality of the schemes planned.

Local companies wishing to apply should initially contact Janet Brooks at the Bury BEA on (0161) 763 4185 with their proposals.

Colour Anodising received their £20,000 cheque prior to a recent seminar at Bury BEA's headquarters.

At the presentation, three other companies received cash grants through a separate scheme run by the BEA.

Bury-based Boundary Garage was presented with a cheque for £5,139 for the installation of lights in the roof, thereby reducing the amount of artificial lighting required.

Walker Farrimond of Bury got £4,854 for the installation of waste oil burners, with the heat produced going towards warming parts of the building.

And bedding manufacturers J. Rosenthal of Radcliffe was presented with a grant of £5,150 for landscaping works.