THE National Park Visitor Centre at Brockhole, near Windermere, is the first in the country to be awarded a coveted Eco-Centres Award following a three-year campaign by staff and visitors to protect the environment.

Sharing the flagship recognition with staff, national park officer Paul Tiplady applauded past efforts, but stressed the work had to continue.

"We all have to be part of the bigger picture, where the entire authority leads by example in doing everything in its power to be eco-sensitive. Brockhole staff and visitors have shown what can be done and we all have to follow their exemplary lead."

Eco-Centres is a European programme organised by Encams, which runs the Keep Britain Tidy campaign.

In awarding the prestigious green flag to Brockhole, Eco-Centres said it was not merely applauding an environmental gesture, but the "transformation of the way the centre functioned".

Initiatives at Brockhole included: l Using both sides of recycled paper and shredding it afterwards to add to grass cuttings for garden compost.

l Recycling and reusing everything from batteries to CDs, tins, cans, glass, cardboard, even ink cartridges.

l Putting "hippos" - a United Utilities water-saving device - in toilets.

l Composting all kitchen waste.

l Weekly meter readings to check the amount of energy being used.

l Staff car sharing.

Brockhole's 160,000 visitors a year have also been actively encouraged to follow the green trail, both at the visitor centre, and when they return home.