The Seabird Centre has been presented with a top environment award.

The award for the top Business Environment organisation in the Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Awards was presented to the Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick, last week at an Awards Ceremony in the Royal Bank of Scotland group headquarters in Edinburgh.

The award-winning visitor attraction, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year, is one of Scottish tourism's success stories, winning over 25 awards for sustainable tourism and its contribution to the local economy. It was described by the panel of judges as "showing care for the environment in every aspect of its operation … a key player in the Scottish tourism industry and a huge asset for the local economy."

The Seabird Centre, a member of the Business Environment Partnership, is also leading a project to increase the number of puffins on the island of Craigleith in the Forth estuary. The bird population there is threatened by tree mallow, an invasive shrub which chokes burrows and prevents them from breeding.

Tom Brock OBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Seabird Centre was delighted with the news and said, "We are delighted to receive this award. One of our key aims at the Seabird Centre is to raise awareness about Scotland’s rich wildlife and environment, but at the same time to reduce the impact on the environment. We are continually developing sustainable working practices to try to ensure that the environment is preserved for future generations, while also reducing costs."

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gregor Murray commented: "These awards symbolise the successes and resilience of the business sector in Midlothian and East Lothian. It has been a tough year for most firms but many have displayed great skill, innovation and tenacity in coping with the challenge