Ground-breaking Sussex energy conservation projects are competing for a major award.

The 11th annual Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy, the world’s leading green energy awards, will take place in London on June 16.

Two organisations from Sussex are in the running.

The Big Lemon, Brighton, is a community-focused enterprise that runs buses and coaches on bio-diesel made from waste oil, sourced from restaurants and cafes in the city.

The company runs public buses transporting students to and from the university campuses and private hire coaches transporting revellers to music festivals and other events.

Meanwhile, Turners Hill Primary School, Crawley, West Sussex is on a serious sustainability mission. The school boasts a team approach to energy-saving, with well-informed and engaged pupils and staff working in building with improved energy efficiency and using renewable energy technologies.

Tom Druitt, managing director of the Big Lemon, said: “We are very proud to be one of the finalists for this prestigious award. We really believe in our project of a social enterprise business model, combining social, environmental and business objectives to make a difference and combat climate change.”

Five UK winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, with one of them being selected to win the coveted gold award. Prizes of £10,000 each will be offered, with the gold award winner doubling their prize to £20,000 to be spent on expanding their work.