Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has recognised six groups from East Lothian for their work to improve their communities.

Growing Matters (Gilmerton), Glorious Gullane Bloomers, Belhaven Hospital Community Garden, Ormiston Blooms Together and The Ridge all received a certificate of distinction, presented to groups displaying continuous improvements over a four-year period as part of the It’s Your Neighbourhood initiative.

Growing Matters was also recognised with certificates of recognition in the NatureScot It’s Your Neighbourhood Pollinator Friendly Award.

Lime Grove Community Garden achieved Level 5 Outstanding.

The 2023 Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood annual seminar and celebration event took place virtually on December 5, where the passion, commitment and positive action taken by 208 groups from 27 local authority areas across Scotland to improve their communities for people, climate and nature were recognised.

Juliette Camburn, senior community initiatives officer with Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Our annual celebration of the inspiring efforts of people across Scotland who work tirelessly to improve their own neighbourhoods and communities is such a happy event.

“Each and every It’s Your Neighbourhood entrant recognised has made a lasting contribution, however small or large, to combat climate change, restore nature and biodiversity, tackle litter and improve the places they care for.”

Jim Jeffrey, pollinator strategy manager with NatureScot, added: “Community groups and gardeners are in the frontline helping our hard-pressed pollinators.

“The high standard of entries in this year’s It’s Your Neighbourhood Pollinator Friendly Award is evidence of a range of impressive projects helping our vital pollinating insects.

“Viewed individually, they are fantastic, and viewed as a whole they contribute to the creation of expanding green corridors in our communities. It is increasingly clear that making space for nature in our gardens, allotments, green spaces and communities is good news for people and pollinators.”