Volunteer nets Green Hero award

A VOLUNTEER from Edinburgh has been named a Green Hero by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

The Green Hero Awards are run by the charity to recognise people and groups who make a special contribution to their local environment.

Alan Smith, 39, won the natural talent award for overcoming mental health problems to become a valuable volunteer and make new friends in the Capital.

Also named in the awards was the Green Ferry Trust from South Queensferry, which won the BTCV Carbon Army award.

The environmental group won the award for its cooperation with Sea Cadets from TS Lochinvar. The collaboration increased membership of the cadets from just six two years ago to around 65.

BTCV Chief Executive Tom Flood said: "These volunteers show what can be achieved when communities work together at a local level."