THE Lancashire Evening Telegraph's nature expert and Grimewatch campaign co-ordinator Ron Freethy today collects a £48,000 prize in Australia - for the world's best river clean-up initiative and one that improves our environment here in East Lancashire.

It is outstanding that the scheme to improve the Mersey Basin and bring back fish and water life to its rivers should be judged the best out of more than 100 river clean-up efforts world wide.

But, as pointed out by Ron who has been with this campaign since 1984, it is a victory for us who live here - as it improves the area, its image and attractiveness and our quality of life.

Well done to all who have made it this huge success.

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