BEING knee deep in mud has won a Blackburn air corps the accolade of outstanding contribution to the environment -- by cleaning up a stretch of the Blakewater River.

The Blackburn Squadron Air Training Corps, based at the Witton Stocks military base in Preston Old Road, have won a Unilever Dragonfly Award, run by the Mersey Basin Campaign who have been operating a £4billion partnership project which aims to regenerate the waters and watersides of the North West over the last 25 years.

Their efforts digging up trolleys and fishing out rubbish have won them £500, a trophy and a prestigious certificate.

The Unilever Dragonfly Awards recognise outstanding contributions towards reaching the projects' objectives and recognises the commitment of volunteers and community activists.

Tracy Coxey, Air Corps project co-ordinator, said: "We became involved in the project after the Groundwork Trust approached us, desperate for help.

"But the team just loved getting wet and dirty in the water and they cleared two skips worth of rubbish in the first day!

"They are really chuffed with the award and we hope to use the money to buy a shed and equipment to continue with the clear-up independently."