STAFF from Bridport Leisure Centre are to receive a green award at the Houses of Commons in November.

The complex won a Green Apple Environment Award in a national campaign to find Britain’s greenest companies, councils and communities.

General manager Nick Neale said: “Providing a brilliant service to the community and keeping it as ‘green’ as possible is very satisfying. “With the support of the Carbon Trust, local energy consultant Dr Bob Hardwick, Lean Energy, AP Chant Renewables and others we’re delighted to have been recognised for our achievements. “It’s great to think what we’ve managed to innovate and achieve in the heart of a rural area.”

The centre won the accolade despite increasing in size but reducing its electricity consumption by 35 per cent since 2006 and its gas consumption by 32 per cent.

It has been made possible by the Bridport and West Dorset Sports Trust investing in energy-saving initiatives including a new insulating roof over the sports hall.

Work has also included pool covers, ‘intelligent’ lighting, condensing boilers, water-saving devices on showers and taps and an air handling system that recycles heat from the pools.