Colchester Council's pledge to be green and clean has won it a prestigious Government award.
It received Beacon Council status for the quality of its environmental services for the year 2001/2.
It is one of just five councils in the country to be given the honour.
The Beacon Council scheme is the Government's flagship award scheme to reward service excellence in local Government and staff.
Those behind the bid are delighted by the news.
To achieve beacon status, the council had to demonstrate excellence in the environmental field. It also led the council to promote green issues in other areas of everyday working life.
The bid which led to the award centred on the council's "greenest and cleanest" pledge covering its transport initiatives, street cleaning and recycling. Mike Crouch, environmental services director at the council, said "Although there remains room for even more improvement, it is national recognition that Colchester's environment is in very good hands."
By Lauren Spurgeon
Reporter's e-mail: lauren_spurgeon@thisisessex.co.uk
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