VALE Landscape Heritage Trust has progressed through the early rounds of the Green Apple Environmental Awards to win a place on the shortlist for final judging.

If it is among the top winners, trustees of Vale Landscape Heritage Trust will be invited to a presentation at the House of Commons.

Trustee Colin Grove, of Hampton, Evesham, said: "We are happy to have made such progress in such a short time towards improving our environment and preserving the local heritage."

The Green Apples Awards are in their 11th successful year, well established as the biggest and most extensive scheme of its kind in the country.

Roger Wolens, national organiser of the Green Apple scheme, said: "It is a tremendous achievement to get on the shortlist because the competition gets tougher and more fierce every year."

He added: "Contenders are continually reaching new levels of environmental success and this campaign helps and encourages others to follow their good example, with the aim of improving our environment for generations to come."