VOLUNTEERS at Bishop Auckland's Butterwick Hospice are celebrating after winning The Northern Echo's environmental competition.

The Making A Difference award goes to their recycling scheme which has raised more than £40,000 for hospice funds in just five years.

They beat off two other strong entrants on the shortlist for the competition, which is in its second year and is sponsored by regional development agency One NorthEast.

Making A Difference was established to encourage community environmental schemes, and the winners receive £500 and the two runners-up also receive prizes.

Each shortlisted project was visited by a judging panel comprising freelance journalist John Dean, representing The Northern Echo; Richard Wood, the chief executive of Durham Wildlife Trust; and Tom Willcox, senior press officer with One NorthEast.

The Butterwick Hospice scheme has grown steadily over the past five years and now runs can, paper and bottle banks across South Durham and is expanding into Weardale and Teesdale. It also recycles other material including cardboard.

It is backed by local companies and by numerous schools and colleges from throughout the Wear Valley, South Durham and Durham City.

Sue Snowdon, the hospice's fundraising co-ordinator said: "We feel we are making a difference on two levels, one because recycling helps the environment, and also because we are raising funds for the hospice and making people aware of its work.

"We are spreading the message about recycling and are delighted that so many schools have supported our efforts. It is a community partnership and that is why it has been successful."

Volunteer Bernard Harrison said: "People used to say 'How is your scheme going?' Now they say 'How is our scheme going?'"

Richard Wood said: "I was extremely impressed by the enthusiasm, determination and dedication of everyone involved the shortlisted projects. Each entry was very different, but each one demonstrated the importance of community involvement in its own way."

Tom Willcox said: "The standard of entries this year was extremely high.

"It was difficult enough whittling them down to a final shortlist of three.

"Each had its own individual outstanding merits but the impact of Butterwick's recycling project had the edge and pipped the others to the post."

Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, said: "Once more, Making A Difference has attracted a high quality of entries and the hospice is a worthy winner indeed."

Details of the presentation to the winner and the two runners-up, by Professor David Bellamy, will be announced shortly