EFFORTS to keep Alloa beautiful have recently been recognised with gold by an environmental charity.

Alloa Town Centre Business Improvement District (ATCBID) received a Gold Award from Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) for its Alloa in Bloom entry in this year's Beautiful Scotland Awards.

Community groups, local authorities and businesses across the country last Wednesday gathered in Aberdeen to celebrate the 50th annual awards.

The event recognised the hard work of communities, which had been cleaning and greening up the places that matter to them.

The BID's Lorraine Douglas and chairman David Westland were happy to receive the gold on the golden anniversary of the competition.

A spokesperson said: “ATCBID are delighted to receive a Gold Award in KSB’s golden anniversary competition. We pulled together and with a lot of hard work made it happen.

“Our thanks go to Clacks Council, Alloa Rotary Club, Homesteads Farm, Peter Houston Gardening Services, Robert Hunter – Scotcleen, ACE Recycling Services, Moncrieff Church, Forth Valley College and pupils of Sunnyside Primary and Alloa.”

Keep Scotland Beautiful chief executive Derek Robertson added: “I would like to congratulate all of the Beautiful Scotland 2016 award winners.

“Quality local environments are vital to vibrant communities and good for business - helping to nurture respect for local places and improve wellbeing.

“All our Beautiful Scotland entrants have committed a lot of their own time and energy to make sure that Scotland’s outdoor spaces are kept clean, green and beautiful.

“The Beautiful Scotland awards ceremony provides the opportunity to showcase the role that they have played in making a difference. It is vital that we reward their efforts and celebrate their achievements.”