An innovative way of looking after Dorset's verges has been recognised at the top with a prestigious award.

Dorset County Council’s Greenspace Team won the Environmental Services award in the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards.

The team came top out of eight shortlisted for its innovative, ecological approach to highway verge management.

The maintenance of highway verges is an important but costly undertaking for local authorities. Maintenance is necessary for both safety and aesthetic reasons. With the squeeze on public finance, councils have much less money to satisfy the demand.

Dorset County Council has taken an innovative and ecological approach to managing its verges, reducing soil fertility through the collection of grass cuttings. It is also introducing species of flowering plants that restrict grass growth and ensuring low nutrient soils are used in road construction. The result is slow growing, beautiful wildflower verges that attract and sustain pollinating insects. It is also saving money as the verges require less cutting.

Matthew Piles, Service Director for Environment said: “The LGC Awards represent the biggest celebration of excellence in local government, so I am extremely proud that three nominations from Dorset County Councils Environment Infrastructure and Economy Directorate were shortlisted for awards this year. The effective and innovative approach we take to service delivery here in Dorset is being recognised nationally, and for the teams delivering this work I couldn’t be happier.”

Hosted by comedian, actor and writer Hugh Dennis, this was the 23rd annual LGC Awards ceremony, which celebrates the best and brightest individuals and teams in local government. There were over 500 entries and 20 winners across various categories.

The winners of the awards were selected by panels featuring some of the country’s most respected council chief executives and other senior council officers who heard presentations and then interviewed representatives of the shortlisted councils.