A pioneering recycling project has won a national award for turning unwanted wood into furniture and sculptures.

The Wood Recycling Centre in Brighton, which was set up just four years ago, beat more than 70 contenders to win The National Social Enterprise Award, sponsored by the Department for Trade and Industry.

Based in the Municipal Market, Circus Street, one of the centre's projects is saving planks from the Palace Pier to be made into tables and shelves.

Wood of all shapes and sizes is for sale, including pieces for DIY. Fire wood is available, as well as Victorian floorboards and fence posts. There is also a cheap furniture shop.

Richard Mehmed started the venture after failing to find recycled wood to make a playhouse for his daughter.

Since then the project has turned over about 5,000 tonnes of wood.

Mr Mehmed said: "It's a prestigious award and we're thrilled.

"It may look like a ramshackle collection of wood run by a scruffy bunch of workers but what we've done has had national significance.

"The most exciting thing is we are fast becoming a model for wood recycling schemes nationwide."