THE University of Worcester has been ranked near the top of a list of the most sustainable universities in the country.

The new network of student campaign groups, People and Planet, has placed the university fourth out of 154 universities in the UK, in its University League 2017.

This is the fourth consecutive year the university has ranked in the top five, and this year it has moved up a place from fifth in 2016.

The campaigning group looks at all public funded universities in the country, using public information provided by the universities to assess areas like waste and recycling, sustainable food, energy sources, engagement and education.

The top 30 universities receive a first class degree style classification.

This comes after the university, alongside Worcester City Council, was recognised nationally for their work to promote sustainability earlier this month.

They won two Green Apple Environmental awards for joint initiatives - one to encourage students to recycle in their houses by providing them with informative recycling bags and the other the Go Green Week event, featuring a range of green activities, which was held in the city centre in April.

Katy Boom, director of sustainability at the University of Worcester, said: “We are extremely proud of remaining in the top five.

“Coming so soon after the two Green Apple awards this just shows how all our hard work is paying dividend and how our approach is making a difference to life at the university, but also to the local community.”

Hannah Smith, from People and Planet, added: “The University of Worcester continues to impress us.

"The university shows exemplary commitment and performance in sustainability."