WARNDON-based domestic boiler firm Worcester Bosch has been praised by celebrity botanist David Bellamy for its highly acclaimed Environment 2010 Awards for Excellence.

The company has just announced the first-ever prizewinners of the initiative and a total of 10 entrants received top honours for their environmentally conscious work from Dr Bellamy at a gala awards ceremony at the National Trust's Waddesdon Manor.

The awards were set up last year to challenge every installer, builder, and specifier to "think energy, think environment" when selecting or installing a new or replacement domestic central heating and hot water boiler.

Speaking to the specially invited audience of winners, their families, colleagues and Press, Dr Bellamy gave his enthusiastic support for the awards and praised Worcester Bosch for its efforts.

"Over the past 40 years we have placed the most severe pressure on our Earth's resources and it's causing problems in the environment, the soil and our atmosphere," he said.

"If everyone had the right boiler and energy system it would help a great deal. Worcester Bosch is an international company that's actually doing something about it, and I congratulate them and the winners."

Earlier this year, Worcester Bosch announced the extension of the awards to 2010 - the date targeted by the Kyoto Agreement for a 20 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions.

"Regard for environmental protection is one of our basic corporate principles," said Neil Schofield, Worcester Bosch business development manager for high efficiency products.

"As part of Bosch we consider product quality, economic efficiency and environmental protection to be amongst our core objectives. Now via Environment 2010 we would like to encourage installers, specifiers and the public to share this energy conscious commitment as they consider their domestic heating and hot water requirements."

Environment 2010 is open to any UK installer or specifier of domestic boilers as well as families and children.

For more information or entry forms phone 01905 752709 or visit Worcester Bosch website at www.worcester-bosch.co.uk