GREEN GLASGOW BUSINESS AWARD - McDONALD'S TRONGATE AND GLASGOW WOOD RECYCLING

The hard-working staff of McDonald's Trongate are well known in the area for their dedication to local good causes.

They helped clean up the Citizen's Rose Garden, litter-pick regularly in the city centre and recently filled 50 bags with rubbish from around the Barras.

They were delighted to win the Green Glasgow Business Award for the second year in a row.

Co-ordinator Arlene Marsella said: "Winning last year gave us the momentum we needed to make the project bigger.

"It helped raise awareness of what our volunteers are doing in the East End. It's fantastic to win again – it will really help us raise our profile more next year."

GLASGOW WOOD RECYCLING

This social enterprise and charity started up in 2007 with the aim of helping local businesses to reduce the amount of wood sent needlessly to landfill.

Six years on and they have become a successful and inspirational project, providing opportunities for socially disadvantaged people to learn new skills, gain confidence and help their local communities.

Chief executive Peter Lavelle said: "Just being part of the Streets Ahead event is a big boost for all of our volunteers, and to win an award is absolutely fantastic."

RUNNER-UP

ALLIED INTERNATIONAL

The Glasgow-based debt recovery firm runs recycling campaigns, supports Earth Hour and the World Wildlife Fund, organise awareness-raising campaigns for energy and water saving initiatives and encourage staff to take part in a raft of physical activities.

BEST CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN

After Schools Activities Programme (ASAP)

ThE ASAP charity was set up by Stephen Koepplinger, 43, from Maryhill, who moved to Glasgow 18 years ago from Ohio.

Driven by a determination that children and teenagers should have lots to do after school, he rallied local volunteers and started work on the derelict Maryhill Park tennis courts. They have cut away trees, levelled the ground, planted flowers and started painting work. Dozens of local children now take part in ASAP's tennis coaching sessions after school.

RUNNERS-UP

John Wheatley College/Lamlash Nursery

AN EAST End nursery school garden trashed by vandals last year is blooming again, thanks to John Wheatley College's EVIP (Enhanced Vocational Inclusion Programme) construction students.

The team worked tirelessly to build everything from beastie boxes and compost bins to beautiful planters designed as boats, benches and tables.

With fantastic support from staff, children, parents, local fire crews and the wider community, plus a £4000 grant from Streets Ahead, the students have restored the garden to its former glory.

Balmoral Terrace Residents Association

Fed up with looking out on to overgrown, untidy grass, residents in Balmoral Terrace, in Queen's Park, decided to do something about it.

They have tidied the grass, planted shrubs and flowers and are currently hoping to secure funding to restore the original railings to turn the strip of land into a community garden.

Local resident Tony Halifax, 66, said: "It's been a fantastic project. It has brought together residents who previously did not know each other."