Green campaigners in Lyme Regis have told of their delight after Dorset was named the 'greenest region' of England in a new study. 

Green energy providers 100Green created a study to determine which areas in England have residents leading the greenest lifestyles.

Regions were ranked by factors including solar panel installations, household recycling rates, garden size, electricity consumption and battery powered car registrations.

Out of a potential score of 100, Dorset obtained a rating of 74, topping the list. 

Cllr Belinda Bawden, Green Party ward member for Lyme Regis and Charmouth, said she was "delighted" for the county to be recognised for its efforts to combat climate change.

She also wishes to highlight work being done locally in the Lyme Regis area to protect the environment.

She said: "It's tough in Lyme Regis as we're a small town with a number of day visitors, many coming by car, so thinking how we can quickly act and reduce carbon emissions is difficult.

"We are working to alert businesses that food waste will need to be separated from other waste streams through the use of separate bins.

“There is also Low Carbon Dorset which looks at energy efficient measures to reduce carbon emissions.

"It's all about educating and making people aware about the environment."

Amongst the town organisations working for a greener future is Little Green Change, which works to provide environmental education and opportunities for primary and secondary-aged children.

Clare Matheson, founder and director of Little Green Change, said: "It's great to see Dorset coming out on top as the best recyclers in the country.

"This is helped by the wide range of recycling options available to residents and visitors in this part of the country provided by Dorset Council and supported by a wide range of environmental and community groups and businesses.

"Education plays a key role in behaviour change, which is why Little Green Change is working with primary and secondary schools across Dorset and beyond to raise awareness of the environmental changes we can all make."

The East Midlands region of Rutland came just behind Dorset with 73 points out of 100, this was followed by Shropshire (65/100), East Sussex (64/100) and the Isle of Wight (63/100).

The study also revealed that Dorset residents were the best recyclers in England, with 59 per cent of their household waste going to recycling collections. The region was followed by Oxfordshire with 58.5 per cent recycled and then Surrey with 54 per cent recycled. 

Earlier this year, Dorset Council was named as the best unitary authority for recycling by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for 2022/23.

This year also saw Lyme Regis Town Council accredited as a Silver Level Carbon Literate Organisation, which recognises its commitment to reducing its organisational carbon emissions and working towards a lower-carbon future.