GREEN businesses in East Lancashire are going for gold after being shortlisted in this year's Northwest Business Environment Awards.

Companies from Nelson and Ramsbottom are amongst the front runners set to be recognised for their best environmental practice'.

Marshalls Mono Limited, a concrete and flagstone manufacturers in Ramsbottom, has been taking environmental tips from employees to help make savings and minimise water used on site with the installation of a water recycling system.

It has allowed the company, based in Fletcher Bank, to reduce its water to landfill by over 7,000 tonnes a year and drastically reduce its water consumption.

While Nelson-based BSN Medical, a medical textiles manufacturer which specialises in supplying orthopaedic products, set itself a 12-month challenge to make company savings through resource efficiency.

Initiatives proposed by its employees working at its Lomeshaye Industrial Estate site included reducing waste to save an annual seven tonnes to landfill, recycling hot melt glue that was previously disposed of as hazardous waste and the introduction of a switch-off' campaign, which has given the company £160,969 in savings.

Judges will announce the winners at a ceremonial lunch, hosted by the Mersey Basin Campaign and the Northwest Regional Development Agency on June 9.