BOURNEMOUTH council has collected an award at the House of Commons for environmental action around the town.

The council, in partnership with Marks & Spencer, won the category for environmental best practice through the Green Apple Environment Awards.

Their project was called Effective partnership working, getting the best for Bournemouth.

They may now represent the UK in the European Business Awards for the Environment in Brussels later next year.

Bournemouth has also been invited to join the National Green Heroes, an elite group of environmental achievers whose work is published, and use their experience to help thousands of others, and the environment around the world.

Councillor Stephen MacLoughlin, leader of Bournemouth Borough Council said: “This is a tremendous achievement and will put Bournemouth firmly on the international map for being a green and environmentally friendly town.

“We are very grateful for the support of M&S. The provision of recycling bins in public areas and solar powered compacting bins on the seafront has extended the borough’s recycling facilities beyond the boundaries of the home, making it even easier to dispose of our waste responsibly.

“The Wise Up to Waste education packs, which are provided to all primary schools, play an important role in ensuring future generations continue our successful recycling record and all work towards improving our environment.

“This award is a tribute to the hard work put in by our officers and partners but most of all we owe the success to the wonderful residents of Bournemouth and we would like to thank everybody for embracing recycling with such enthusiasm.”

The judges said the innovative collaboration with Marks and Spencer had established long-term goals and achievements in the heart of the town, paving the way for further green partnerships.

The Green Apple Awards, now in their 15th year, attracted more than 500 nominations this year.

Bournemouth’s award-winning project will be featured in the next Green Book, the world’s only work of reference on environmental best practice, and they will be receiving a Green Hero Wall Shield during a special prize-giving ceremony on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh, next February.