2009 Tidy Towns competition launched

A special climate change award is to be included in this year's National Tidy Towns competition, details of which were announced today.

The aim of the new award is to encourage community groups to investigate their carbon footprint and use this to raise awareness of global warming at a local level.

The Tidy Towns competition, which is now in its 51st year, has 11 prize categories in addition to the main award. These include prizes for the best promotion of heritage, best urban village and best landscape.

Last year, Westport was awarded the title of Ireland's Tidiest Town for the third in a decade. Other category winners in 2008 included Kenmare, Co Kerry, which was named Ireland's Tidiest Small Town, and Ennis, Co Clare, which won the title of Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre.

In addition to the overall title, Westport also won its own category to be named Ireland's Tidiest Large Town.

Speaking at the launch of this year's competition at Custom House, Dublin this morning, Minister for the Environment John Gormley said the 2008 awards saw unprecedented numbers entering and that he expected the addition of the Climate Change award would lead to further entries this year.

"The introduction of a Climate Change category this year ensures that the National Tidy Towns Competition continues to evolve and is to the fore in addressing key environmental issues," said Mr Gormley.

The closing date for receipt of entries for this year's competition is 22nd May . Entry forms can be obtained from the TidyTowns Unit in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government — Phone (01) 8882300 or by visiting www.tidytowns.ie.