A CITY'S efforts to tackle green issues have been recognised by a top environmental group.

Environmental Campaigns (Encams), presented a certificate to Sunderland City Council endorsing its achievements over the past eight years as part of the People and Places programme.

The council has focused on several different areas through initiatives such as the Tidy Travel campaign, the Street Care Improvement Plan, annual spring cleans, the Bin It, Don't Drop It campaign, and the Pathfinder project.

Alan Woods, chief executive of Encams, the organisation behind the Keep Britain Tidy Campaign, said: "For the eight years Sunderland council has been in People and Places, it has been seizing the initiative and trying to combat the problems that dog so many local environments.

"Its latest commitment to reduce waste and keep the city litter free is highly commendable, but will only be achieved with the help of the public, and I hope every resident will do their bit to help make this happen."

Peter High, the council's head of highways, said: "The certificate is recognition of the council's efforts to bring about sustained improvement to the local environment."