IT'S OFFICIAL - Burnley is the greenest borough in Britain!

Environmental experts have given a top award to the district for its plans to help protect the planet for posterity.

And a flag proudly proclaiming Burnley to be Britain's Greenest Council will be flown from the town hall.

The council took two titles in the Green Organisation's Green Apple Awards: best English district council as well as the overall title.

More than 100 local authorities entered the competition, which was judged by Michael Burton, the editor of Municipal Journal, Roger Wolens of the Green Organisation, and Michael Cooke, head of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

Councillor Kath Reade, leader of Burnley council, greeted the news. She told the Citizen: "Burnley council has been at the forefront of the development of environmentally sound policies.

"What more important issue can there be than the protection of the environment for future generations?

"I am delighted with this award which is a tribute to both councillors and officers for their commitment to environmental issues."

The title is reward for the council's environmental strategy, which covers a huge range of council projects, including policies on energy, planning, transport and education.

It also comes on top of the Going for Green scheme, in which residents of south west Burnley have become the first in the country to undertake an experiment into how communities can reduce their impact on the env- ironment.

Over the next two years, people in the area will be encouraged to preserve water and recycle their rubbish.

Burnley's environmental strategy is partly funded by the government's challenge fund and doesn't cost residents a penny. It's an integrated plan which involves all aspects of council services.

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