AN innovative scheme were members can swap unwanted goods, saving them from landfill, has been recognised for its work.

The Royston Recycle group has won a Green Apple Environment Award after being nominated by Archant - The Crow’s publisher.

Dermot Byrne, the initiative’s founder, said: “We’re very pleased about being recognised for the good work the community’s been doing.

“One of the reasons we got it is there’s Freecycle groups all over the country and world but for the size of the area the membership is very significant.”

The group is an online only affair which has just broke the 4,000 member mark and is free to join.

Once someone has joined they can post items they wish to get rid off and someone can ask if they can have it rather than the owner throwing it away.

Members of the eco-friendly group will receive the accreditation in the House of Commons in November and may go on to represent the UK in the European Bussiness Awards for the Environment.

They have also been asked to contribute to a book on environmental best practice.

To join the group log on to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/roystonrecycle