AN ENVIRONMENTAL group has received an award for its campaign to save a wildlife corridor.

Harwich Peninsula Friends of the Earth have been labelled one of the best environmental groups in the country at the charity’s annual Earthmovers Awards after lobbying councillors to save The Hangings footpath.

More than 100 trees were destroyed to extend gardens in The Gateway development between Dovercourt and the A120 last year. About a quarter of gardens were extended past land boundaries into the footpath, despite having no permission to do so.

Agent GVA Grimley rushed to exchange land with Tendring Council and pay for the surplus area for around £50,000 – money which Harwich FoE fought to be spent on restoring footpath.

Paul Preece, of the charity, had to present his campaign to 300 people to beat other shortlisted branches in Norwich, Birmingham and Eastbourne for the See Things Differently award.

He used articles from The Standard, which revealed The Hangings had been illegally built on, to win at the event which is dubbed the eco Oscars.