THEY'RE the pick of the bunch!

That's Bury Council which has scooped two Green Apple awards.

For the local authority's Business Investment Programme and Techno Team projects both featured at the Green Apple Awards 2003 ceremony in London.

Trade Minister Patricia Hewitt handed out the two awards to Councillor Stella Smith, Bury's executive member for environment and transport.

The Green Apple Awards are now in their ninth year and are dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world.

Bury Council's community safety wardens and techno team received a silver award for partnership working. The award was made in recognition of the teams' hard work and endeavours in helping to ensure the local environment is "clean, safe and sorted".

More than 5,500 incidents have been dealt with since the initiative was started in 1999.

The Business Investment Programme, which achieved a bronze award, aids the delivery of environmental improvements in and around industrial areas, to business premises and at gateway sites and principal routes leading to business areas.

Since 1997 more than 60 local companies have received grants towards improvements to business environment.

Councillor Smith said: "I was delighted to accept these two awards on behalf of the council. They reflect our long-held determination to secure a cleaner, safer and greener borough for everyone."