A QUARRYING company with a site in Chipping Sodbury is offering local schools and community groups the chance to win £30,000 as part of its educational research competition.

The Quarry Life Award, which is run bi-annually by Hanson’s parent company HeidelbergCement, aims to explore the value of mining sites as places of nature. 

This year’s competition includes, for the first time, a category for community projects that educate about biodiversity in quarries or can help the quarry to better connect with its neighbours.

The new element of the competition is open to everyone - individuals, students, schools and community groups - and includes a student class project.

Among the sites participating in the 2018 contest, which is running in 23 countries across the globe, is the limestone quarry at Chipping Sodbury.

Martin Crow, Hanson’s senior sustainability manager, said: “Our aim is to encourage projects which can support or enhance the work we are already doing at Chipping Sodbury to improve biodiversity and the quality of restoration.

“We also want to hear from people who have ideas which will create a better understanding of the importance of quarrying and its vital role in improving the built environment.”

The deadline for submitting outline project proposals is Monday, November 20.

A panel of experts will then select six projects to be forwarded to a research phase, which will be carried out between January and September next year.

The UK winners will be chosen by a national jury and share a prize fund of £12,000.

They will also go forward to the international competition with a chance to scoop the top prize of £30,000.

To find out more, visit the Quarry Life Award website www.quarrylifeaward.com