Ross-based eco-company Junkk.com was invited to a glittering ceremony at the House of Commons, and came away with a coveted Green Apple Award, for their already internationally multi-awarded RE:tie reuse packaging design concept.

Collecting the prize from another eco-winner, Dragons Den's Chris Hopkins of Ploughcroft, Peter Martin joked: "Often when we win such an award the family asks if we can eat it, as while recognition is always great and an honour, trying to promote innovative concepts does make paying the bills always pressing. At least this is getting us closer to food on the table."

Things are looking up in this regard. At a recent global plastics conference in Brussels, the RE:tie and its designed-in second-use, consumer end-benefit message was deemed the toast of the event by delegates, with heads of packaging from Heineken, Coca-Cola and Tetra-Pak all expressing interest in finding out more.

Peter said:?"Maybe there's more money and jobs in the green sector to be found yet, and Hereford can further consolidate its position as the greenest of counties."