MAYOR of St Helens, Councillor Alex Worth arrived in an environmentally-friendly gas-powered car to launch the council's new 'going green' initiative.

St Helens has taken a major step towards its Local Agenda 21 - the global environmental strategy launched at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The council began by getting its own 'house in order' with the launch of its internal strategy to councillors and staff via an exhibition at the town hall.

The authority has already begun to review major areas of its work against environmental performance criteria and an action plan has been drawn up to raise staff awareness. Suggestions include extending its in-house waste paper recycling scheme to all council buildings; more energy-efficient schemes in housing and leisure centres; and a 'green' purchasing policy.

The council has already adopted a 'green' approach to its services by developing such things as a cycle strategy, a high number of diesel-operated vehicles and a waste recycling plan, and an air pollution monitoring programme has been adopted.

Council leader Dave Watts said: "Despite continuing financial pressure from the Government, the council is committed to promoting greener practices throughout the borough."

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