THREE local groups have scooped a share of £1,000 after winning the Forest Council and Forestry Commission’s Clean for the Queen competition.

The competition was launched in April to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday and involved a community litter-pick.

Last week Lydney Parkrun, Steam Mills Primary School in Cinderford and Redmarley Church of England Primary Academy were announced winners of the fund donated by Ubico Limited.

Runners-up, the Awre Village Hall committee, also impressed the judges with their entry and dedication to clear unsightly waste from their village and a lay-by alongside the A48, which is a known trouble spot for littering.

Cllr Terry Hale (Con, Newland and St Briavels), the council’s Cabinet member for the community, said: “All of the community clean up events were well organised and the volunteers put in a huge amount of effort to litter-pick their area. We would like to congratulate all three winners on their success and hope the prize money will be a significant help towards their individual plans to improve their community.”

Lydney Parkrun event director, David Price added: “We have a great community at Lydney Parkrun with volunteers always helping out and doing their bit. This prize money will help us buy a defibrillator, which is an essential piece of life-saving equipment for our weekly running events.”

Steam Mills School look forward to using its prize money to work with Cinderford Town Council developing its local park while Redmarley Church of England Primary Academy plan to use its prize money to support the development of its vegetable garden and nature area.

• A NEWENT community garden has blossomed since receiving a £500 grant from the district council in 2014.

The volunteer-maintained sensory garden, known as the ’Veg Out Zone Newent Community Garden’, was completed in early July and officially opened by Cllr Terry Hale who unveiled a plaque.

Cllr Hale said: “The volunteer gardeners have worked extremely hard to create an area which is not only pleasing to the eye but also appeals to the other senses, including touch and taste.”

Chris Comer, chairman of the Veg Out Zone Newent Community Garden, added: “We would like to thank the Forest of Dean District Council and Newent Town Council for their support.”