Benn and Bradbury team up for awards night

The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will be joined on stage by TV presenter Julia Bradbury, who returns to host the awards night for a second year.

The dinner takes place at the Queens Hotel in Leeds on the evening of Thursday, March 4, when the winners of all 10 awards categories will be announced. The finest environmental work by businesses, organisations and individuals from across the Yorkshire region will be recognised and celebrated.

Mr Benn's appearance follows the success of the keynote speaker at last year's inaugural event, Climate Change Secretary and Doncaster MP Ed Miliband.

Mr Benn is expected to speak on a range of topical policy issues relating to environmental affairs. As the man in charge of Defra he has been at the heart of recent Government policy announcements on issues such as food production, waste and incineration, farming and biodiversity.

Ms Bradbury will be hosting the event once again following the success of her appearance last year. Educated in Sheffield and still harbouring close ties to the region, she is best-known for fronting BBC shows Countryfile and Wainright Walks and is also the president of the South Yorkshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Tickets for the awards night, which include reception, three-course dinner and a half-bottle of wine, are available now at 55 plus VAT.

For details contact Jayne Lownsbrough, the Editor's Secretary, on 0113 238 8432, or email [email protected]. Alternatively write to Jayne at the Yorkshire Post, Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 1RF.

THE SHORTLIST

Best Environmental Business, sponsored by CO2Sense Yorkshire: Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate; Duraweld; Taylors Environmental Services.

Manufacturer of the Best Green Product, sponsored by office equipment technology supplier STS: Acorn Briquettes; Ecomix; Econoplas.

Innovation, sponsored by Science City York: First West/North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire; GWE Biogas; Partners in Innovation.

Community Award, sponsored by Yorkshire Water: Bishop Wilton Village Hall and Playing Association; Leeds University Union; Settle Hydro.

Young People's Award, sponsored by Asda: 5th Spen Valley Scouts; Ganton Special School; The just a.s.k. project.

Climate Change: BTCV; Groundwork; United Bank of Carbon.

Built Environment: Projects over 1m, sponsored by Grant Thornton: Morrisons, Halifax Regional Agricultural Centre, Great Yorkshire Showground Safety Central, Bramley.

Built Environment: Projects under 1m, The Melting Pot, Todmorden, Tenters, Netherton.

Countryside Award, sponsored by Northern Gas Networks: Studfold Explore Discover and Learn Trail; Heaton Woods Trust; Ragged Robin Conservation Group.

The winner of the Green Champion award, which is sponsored by the Yorkshire Post, will be announced on the night.