TODAY, we reveal the winners of the Green Heroes competition 2008.

Yet again, the competition has proved that people in Bolton are doing their bit to help the environment.

After the success of the 2007 awards, we set out to find more eco-friendly people — and we were not disappointed.

Every day we hear more about how environmental issues are affecting the planet. Global warming, carbon dioxide emissions, carbon footprints and the amount of rubbish we throw away — they are all major problems that affect the world in which we live.

But small changes at home can make a real difference to the environment.

Our competition, run in conjunction with Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park, judged the “greenest” entries in five categories — School, Reader, Family, Community/Sport Group and Business.

The winners in each category will receive £200 in Middlebrook vouchers and the overall winner will be given an additional £500.

Overall Winner and the Greenest Group

Oxford Grove Children’s Centre Parents Group PARENTS at Oxford Grove Children’s Centre have established a community allotment plot to grow their own fruit and vegetables.

Not only is their seasonal produce healthy and organic, it helps the environment at the same time. By growing their own food it reduces food miles — the distance food has to travel to reach the supermarket shelves. It also cuts down on carbon emissions and the grocery bill too.

The plot is within the grounds of the community centre, off Oxford Grove, Bolton, where parents meet each Thursday, taking along children aged under five to teach them about the environment.

The parents group is setting an example that everyone can follow by buying food grown closer to home.

Angela McCormick, community worker and team leader, said: “I nominated the parents group for all its hard work, commitment and enthusiasm in helping make our community a better place to live and making a difference to the lives of young families.

“The parents are delighted that they have won, especially as it is a new group trying to get established. It helps the environment, saves money and is fun to do.”

Greenest Individual

Rick Parker FOR more than 20 years Rick Parker has been striving to help the environment.

As chairman of the Bolton Conservation Volunteers, he has helped out with numerous projects across the town.

He is a full time hedge layer, helping to conserve the countryside and protect wildlife. Mr Parker recently improved a hedge at the Thornbank Estate in Deane after being approached by a residents association.

The work on the hedge will help to improve the estate’s bird life by providing safe nesting and food.

Mr Parker has also been the dragonfly recorder for Bolton for the last two years and has seen southern species moving to the north, which he believes is a result of global warming.

He also grows vegetables in his allotment and composts his green waste.

Mr Parker, of Little Lever, said: “I am really pleased to win this award. I have been doing this work for a long time. I’m doing it because I want to help, not for recognition. Recently there has been a lot more interest in green issues and it is good to win awards because it gives people a boost to continue their hard work.”

Greenest School

Thornleigh Salesian College RECYCLING is top of the agenda at this eco-friendly school.

Every classroom recycles paper and collects ink cartridges and old mobile phones.

Last year, the school formed an eco group and holds a bronze award from the Eco Schools international award programme. It is now working towards a prestigious green flag.

The pupils also save electricity by making sure lights and computers are turned off and regularly clean up the school gardens.

Ben Harris, aged 13, said: “It was amazing to win the competition and I’m glad we did. The things we have introduced are quite new so we were surprised to win.

“The whole thing about being green is to make the environment better and I think it is good if young people help the environment. Hopefully the rest of Bolton will follow.”

Michael Hodkinson, aged 14, said: “I think everybody who entered the competition is setting a good example and I’m hoping all the young people act as an inspiration to everybody to help save the environment. We can make a difference.”

Rita Gornall, school business manager, said: “The children have been learning about all sorts of environmental issues and have been getting involved so this is a fantastic reward.”

Greenest Family

Henry and Dorothy Armstrong THIS couple have proved that it is possible to have a small carbon footprint. They have never owned a car, never been on a plane, don’t have central heating and recycle religiously.

They are not fans of modern things and prefer the basics.

Mr Armstrong, aged 78, from Kearsley, said the couple use public transport to get about and if they go on holiday they take the train.

He added: “Since we got modern things they have brought nothing but trouble.”

Greenest Business

B&B Leisure Vehicle Services AN eco-friendly caravan created by Peter Kellett is setting an example for others to follow.

The Ecostream caravan is made out of recycled goods and proves that a use can be found for anything. It features a table made from melted yoghurt pots, shower cubicle made from a mains water pipe and kitchen cupboards that were once police station lockers.

Peter Kellett, director of B&B Leisure, based in Wingates, said: “We feel that we have made full use of recycled materials to produce the first eco friendly caravan and can offer new ideas within the leisure industry.”