PROTECTING the environment is big business – and those businesses who are leading the way could scoop a new award and �250. The Huntingdonshire Green Heart Community Awards, organised by Huntingdonshire District Council in partnership with The Hunts Post,

PROTECTING the environment is big business - and those businesses who are leading the way could scoop a new award and �250.

The Huntingdonshire Green Heart Community Awards, organised by Huntingdonshire District Council in partnership with The Hunts Post, are open for entries and one of the categories is aimed at the business community.

Entries in the Environmental Business of the Year section, which is sponsored by Cambridgeshire Constabulary, will have to show their green credentials.

We want to hear about the projects that have taken place at Huntingdonshire businesses large and small - those projects that have helped the local environment, cut a carbon footprint or allowed employees to go green.

For your chance to win the Environmental Business of the Year award, you will need to demonstrate the impact your project has had on the local environment.

Heidi Field, HDC's environmental education and promotions officer, said: "We are looking for good examples of green practice and projects within Huntingdonshire.

"For example your business may have implemented a travel plan or replaced your fleet with fuel efficient alternatives, or you may have reduced your water usage or invested in energy efficient equipment or switched to green energy.

"Other examples would include reducing the amount of waste created by a business by introducing online billing, but entries could also include businesses which have been involved in green community projects."

She added: "Every project will be assessed on its own environmental merits, regardless of its size or the size of the business.

"We would like to know what environmental benefits have been gained from your activities, how many people have been involved, and any information you have about the longer term benefits that you hope your activities will achieve."

Business should supply, where possible, photographs and other supporting evidence of the work, comments from employees or customers, and details the success.

Finalists will be invited to attend the awards ceremony at the Burgess Hall, St Ives, Saturday, June 5, which is also World Environment Day.

INFORMATION: You have until Friday, April 30, to return entry forms which are available from www.huntspost24.co.uk - just click on the Green Heart Award logo.