A church in Brighton has said more than a prayer for the environment.

Stanford Avenue Methodist Church in Stanford Avenue has become the city’s first ever ‘Eco Church’.

The congregation conducts themed church services on saving the planet's resources, has sponsored a penguin, supported the quest for clean water in India, created a wildlife sanctuary in its grounds and organised a system of environmental badges to be won by young members.

All the hard work has paid off after it was the first church to win an award for it's green activities.

Minister Reverend Linda Francis, said: “We decided to try and join the national Eco-Congregation Award and to do so had to fulfil three modules.

“We have environment themed masses, only stock Fairtrade teas and coffees and have set up a vegetable garden in the church grounds.

”We are considering solar panels or rain water harvesting for the church itself.”

The congregation has also worked with the Brighton and Hove Montessori School on Stanford Avenue in education projects to raise awareness about endangered species.

The church has set up a 'green group' so that projects can be made accessible to the wider community including fund raising for the 'Wells for India' which helps promote clean and safe drinking water in the country.

Some of the youngsters in the congregation have raised the money to sponsor 'Slasher' a penguin at Drusilla's Park in Alfriston Road, near Alfriston.

As a qualified eco schools assessor, Brighton & Hove City Council’s Kim Jackson assessed the church along with the Rev Keith Innes.

Councillor Dee Simson, cabinet member for community affairs and inclusion, said: “We are used to giving eco awards to our schools and are now pleased to recognise the excellent environmental work being done by one of our Church communities.

“The congregation has put in a lot of work to get the award and really deserves it. The gardens at the church and the school are a haven for wildlife and the children have been getting involved with putting up bird boxes and wormeries. It’s a lovely way to get everyone involved in looking after the environment.”

Rev Francis felt particularly proud about the award.

She said: "God has challenged us with a responsibility for looking after the world he created and we are all taking this seriously. We want to do all we can."

It can keep the Eco-congregation status for three years then has to reapply.

For more information visit www.ecocongregation.org