Southampton Solent University - Ernie cleans up

A project that helps to keep a student "ghetto" clean has bagged a national award. The "eco-float" project - a partnership between Southampton Solent University, Southampton City Council and charity Bag It Up - encourages students to recycle end-of-term rubbish using a recommissioned milk float named Ernie. It clinched the prize for the Best Community Involvement Project at the Local Government Chronicle Awards. Ernie first hit the streets last year to clean up the annual mess left when students move out. Van Gore, Southampton Solent's vice-chancellor, said: "This project has shown what can be achieved when we work together to turn things around."