Garden project scoops green award

Project manager Phil Dewhurst will collect the award

A green gardening project is receiving national recognition in a ceremony at the House of Lords.

The Offshoots Permaculture Project, based at Towneley Hall in Burnley, is used by therapy groups, horticultural training and volunteer groups.

It has a sensory garden, straw bale toilet and composting scheme.

Project manager Phil Dewhurst and the Mayor of Burnley, Roger Frost, will collect the Sustainable Communities Award in London on Tuesday.

Sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the award is for building a "modern neighbourhood".

Offshoots is a charity dependant on external funding such as SRB (Single Regeneration Budget) funding - government cash to regenerate run-down areas.

Offshoots also employs several people including two beekeepers, who look after the hives which enhance the sense of sustainable community.