NI Water has secured a prestigious environmental award for its work on the innovative rainwater garden at Clandeboye Primary School in Bangor.

The garden is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, consisting of ponds, cascades and bog gardens that provide natural storage for rainwater while creating a new outdoor learning environment for pupils.

The utility was named the 'Ireland Green Champion' in the 2018 Green Apple Awards, with the Clandeboye project hailed as the overall Green Champion for Ireland.

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Paul Harper NI Water Director of Asset Delivery said: "We at NI Water are delighted to win this major world-class environmental award, which is a great opportunity to showcase the Clandeboye project amongst the best environmental projects in the world.

"Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and one of our customer promises is to protect and enhance the natural environment - which this scheme undoubtedly delivers. The scheme will help reduce the risk of flooding in the school grounds and surrounding area.

"I would like to congratulate the NI Water team working on the Clandeboye project on this achievement including AECOM and BSG Civil Engineering.

"None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of Clandeboye Primary School, the Department for Infrastructure, Education Authority and the Department of Education and we sincerely thank them for their input."

The Clandeboye scheme now moves forward to represent Ireland in the Green World Awards.

(CM/MH)