Stroud Valleys Project (SVP) has been recognised nationally for its sustainability work.

The charity, which works to nurture wildlife and green spaces, has picked up the highest award possible in the National Union of Students Green Impact scheme.

The programme supports environmentally and socially sustainable practice and has won awards from the United Nations.

This year's ceremony took place at The New Lawn football ground in Nailsworth courtesy of Forest Green Rovers FC, hosted by members of Going the Extra Mile (GEM) project.

SVP picked up platinum for its day-to-day sustainability, an Above and Beyond award for the eel pass it installed at Arundel Mill Pond, near Stroud's town centre and commendations for Sustainability Hero for volunteer Rosie Wingate and for Sustainability Improvement.

Clare Mahdiyone, CEO of SVP, said: "Sustainability is at the heart of what we do, every day of the year. So we are delighted to have this recognised in the NUS Green Impact Awards.

"Over the past few months, we've been focusing on reducing our environmental footprint both in the office, on site when working on projects, and on the way to work."

She said the charity had reduced electricity use by ensuring staff turn off monitors and PCs when they're away from their desks for half an hour or more and unplug them at the end of the day.

Washing up is done at the end of the day to reduce water and power use and it uses sustainable refills for cleaning products.

Food scraps go into a compost container which one of its project officers takes to the charity's allotment and staff recycle paper, cardboard, food packages, cosmetics packaging and toothbrushes.

Clare added: "We've reduced the use of on-site plastic; for example, recycling or removing tree guards and finding alternatives to plastic fencing."