ARDS CLEANS UP IN COASTAL AWARDS

Ards has scooped three awards in the latest Northern Ireland initiative to recognise outstanding contributions to keeping our coastlines clean.

In the inaugural Coca-Cola Clean Coast Awards, part of TIDY Northern Ireland's successful Clean Coast Programme, Cloughey and District Community Association received The Coca-Cola Clean Coast Group Award, Millisle Community Association and Millisle Primary School were named the Best Partnership, while Cloughey's Eric Rainey received individual recognition with the Achievement Award.

The judges singled out Mr Rainey, praising his 'love and passion for the environment', his commitment to establishing local ownership of Cloughey beach, his achievement in producing the beaches' first management plan and his success in getting the bathing water tested. Without him, they said, 'fantastic beaches like Cloughey would be all the poorer'.

The 'outstanding example' set by Cloughey District and Community Association in forming lasting partnerships with other local organisations and Ards Borough Council, together with an impressive number of beach cleans, won the Association its awards.

And the partnership between Millisle Community Association and Millisle Primary School was judged as 'a fantastic example of how everyone in the community can work together to maintain a safe and litter free environment for all to enjoy', with their commitment to learning through beach cleans, activities and fun days on the beach also highlighted as areas of excellent performance.

"Ards has some of the most stunning coastline in Northern Ireland and we all have a duty to ensure that we care and protect our beaches and shores. However, we are very fortunate to have such enthusiastic, committed groups and individuals who play active roles in maintaining our beaches and ensuring their beauty is retained for the benefit of locals and visitors alike," said Mayor of Ards, Councillor Billy Montgomery. "These awards are a tribute to the dedication being shown in both Cloughey and Millisle and bring some well-deserved recognition to those involved. My congratulations to them all".

TIDY Northern Ireland Chief Executive, Dr Ian Humphreys, said:

"TIDY Northern Ireland is delighted to be able to recognise the tremendous efforts that volunteers and councils have been putting in to combat the increasing problem of litter on our beaches. Sadly we are all familiar with the rubbish that accumulates beside the sea, spoiling one of Northern Ireland's greatest natural assets. Tourism and the investment that it brings has become increasingly important to the Northern Ireland economy in recent times, and the success of the Clean Coast Programme is showing that a growing number of people are refusing to stand back and watch their local environment become polluted. These volunteers have set the standards on how we should look after our coastal environment, and it's time others followed their lead and disposed of their litter in a responsible fashion."

The awards were presented by Environment Minister Edwin Poots.