GATWICK has won an environmental awareness award in recognition of its work to become the UK’s most sustainable airport.

Its behavioural detection team won a separate industry award for counter-terrorism innovation of the year.

The two latest successes came at the Security and Fire Excellence Awards 2017.

Chris Woodroofe, chief operating officer at Gatwick, said: “These awards have only happened because of our hard work, determination and talents and I am grateful for everything staff have done to help Gatwick improve and grow.

“Since new ownership in 2009, Gatwick has set itself on course to be one of the world’s best airports.

“There is still work to do but the awards we have picked up this year – which include both airport of the year and best airport – show that we are making progress toward this ambition.”

Gatwick has become the first airport in the world able to dispose of category one airline waste on site and convert it – and all other organic waste – into energy to heat airport facilities

It has also cut water consumption by 45 per cent per passenger since 2010 and become a carbon neutral airport.