ADOPTED Boltonian May Tattersall was rewarded for her unflagging efforts in attempting to maintain pride in her neighbourhood.

May was presented with a Civic Pride Award by Bolton Mayor, Cllr Eric Johnson as part of the town's Environment Week activities. May, who lives in Bowness Road, moved to Bolton in 1961 with her husband Tom, who she has been married to for 56 years.

May has been determined to maintain pride in the area and has cleaned up bottles, cans, crisp packets and disposable nappies left in the streets and does not hesitate to remind others of their own responsibilities.

The award for Best Voluntary Group went to the 47th Bolton Scout Group based in Blackrod led by Bob Massingham who stepped in when the group lost its leader seven years ago.

Bob has a particular interest in the environment and passes it on to the cubs and scouts by giving talks on the Countryside and the Country Code. One of his pet hates is the mess and damage caused by people who leave litter scattered in Blackrod and his cubs enthusiastically scour the streets and fields to bring the village back up to standard.

Westhoughton engineering company, Coleman Milne won the award for best local business in recognition of its efforts in tidying the frontage of the factory on Wigan Road to create a landscaped area.

Now, the company's customer's and other visitors to the area are not greeted by a concrete car par, but by flowering hawthorn hedges to screen the factory and offer refuge to wildlife.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.