A YOUNG and enthusiastic eco-warrior from Worcester has been nominated for a national award for environmental work.

Katie Haywood, aged 17, is one of the original members of a project called The Hive, based at Worcester Volunteers Centre in The Tything.

The Hive, which was set up in August last year, focuses on environmental work and green initiatives.

Miss Haywood, from Acton, near Stourport, has spent many hours researching a project to build an eco-friendly community centre in Worcester called an “earthship”. She has helped write fund-raising applications, recruit members and organised events to educate others about the plan.

Miss Haywood has now been shortlisted out of 702 nominees at this year’s vinspired awards, which takes place at the IndigO2 in London on Thursday.

She is in contention for the Eco Award which recognises an individual or group of volunteers who has taken direct action to improve the environment, raised awareness and encouraged people to change their behaviour to save the planet.

The star-studded event will be presented by former Hollyoaks and Casualty actor James Redmond and will feature special guests Joe Thomas and Emily Head from The Inbetweeners. Miss Haywood is also a regional member of the National Trust’s “You Me & The Climate” Project, where young people organise local projects to get the public interested in climate change issues.

Last month she organised the Hands Up campaign which enabled people to write messages about climate change on paper hands which were put on display in the CrownGate Shopping Centre. Miss Haywood will take the hands to a UN conference on climate change in Copenhagen, Denmark, next month.

Tash Giaquinto, project co-ordinator at The Hive, was one of the regional winners in the energy section of the vinspired awards. The energy award recognises an individual or group of volunteers that have demonstrated outstanding support for and commitment to young people, and have helped to turn young people’s volunteering ideas or projects into action.

Ms Giaquinto, aged 34, said: “Katie is one of the most enthusiastic volunteers we have ever had at the Hive and has done so much fantastic work over the past year.”

For more information about the awards, visit nation alawards.vinspired.com.