AN ANDOVER-based community group has received a top honour at a national award ceremony in London.

Andover Trees United were crowned the Ecover Young Green Champions at the 10th annual Observer Ethical Awards at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington.

The group, which consists of volunteers and students from 25 schools across the area, beat two other youth projects to the top prize, including fellow Hampshire contestants Wicor Primary School.

As previously reported in the Andover Advertiser, the group, who aim to plant 10,000 trees near Enham Alamein over a ten year period, discovered they were shortlisted for the award last month but remained cautious about their chances after finishing runner up in the same category last year.

However they were encouraged to reapply and their persistence paid off last Friday as they received the award from English musician V V Brown.

Former teacher turned volunteer, Oonagh Pope, represented the group on the night alongside two of the school children involved in the project, Erin Hacker and Hannah Bradbury.

Talking about the win, the group said on their website: “This is an amazing achievement and thank you to everyone who has helped in our wonderful community project.

“No matter whether your contribution has been large or small, a one-off or a regular commitment, we would not have reached this point without you.”

Sarah Tuke, head of European communications for the awards’ sponsor Ecover, said: “We are delighted to present this award to Andover Trees United for its dedication in restoring and reviving local green spaces.

“We are passionate about looking to nature for inspiration, so we are excited to recognise the hard work Andover Trees United does to help young people learn and care about the environment.

Talking aboutthe success of the awards, Lucy Siegle, who originally founded the scheme, added: “The 10th Observer Ethical Awards shows in no uncertain terms that green has gone mainstream.

“Our judges including Katie Piper and Deborah Meaden have awarded across the country from the joyous, free, accessible Festival of Thrift in Darlington to Plymouth Community Energy.

“The ambition and energy of our winners is typified by Coronation Street, the world’s oldest soap opera now on course to become the world’s first carbon literate TV production.”

Other winners on the star studded night included the likes of Yoko Ono, Coronation Street and Harry Potter actress Emma Watson.