EAST Lancashire firms are pioneering a green revolution that is the envy of the country, business leaders were told.

Sir David Trippier, High Sheriff of Lancashire and a former Government minister, said the achievements of local firms in turning environmental problems into a business advantage was benefiting the whole community.

Sir David, president of the Groundwork Business Environment Association and Dr Alan Knight of B&Q, were guest speakers at the association's annual awards night at Ewood Park last night.

The former Rossendale and Darwen MP also praised the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's achievements in winning a national accolade in the Queen Mother's Birthday Awards last month.

In the BEA's awards, Chapman Industries won the category for environmental awareness with Ouzledale Foundry, Avesta Sheffield, RHP Bearings and Glaxo highly commended.

And RHP Bearings and British Aerospace were joint winners of the environmental management systems award.

Citrol won the environmental innovations title with B & M Longworth highly commended.

The Great Harwood Reclamation Centre won the waste minimisation award with British Aerospace and Timack highly commended.

Hilden Manufacturing won the category for energy conservation with Rectella highly commended.

Scapa-Scandia and Borden Decorative Products were joint winners for the contribution to environmental improvement category. Wolstenholme International won the employee participation category with MD Foods highly commended.

MD Foods won the award for the best community environmental projects. Smurfit Corrugated and WIlliam Reed Weaving were highly commended. And British Aerospace Samlesbury won a special patron award.

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