A LAKE District-based campaigning photographer has won a Green Apple Environmental Best Practice award.

Ashley Cooper, who spent 13 years travelling the world to document the impact of climate change, was up against more than 500 other nominations.

He will be presented with a trophy and certificate at a glittering presentation ceremony in the Houses of Parliament, London on November 6.

Ashley’s book, Images from a warming planet, contains more than 500 photographs of climate change devastation. It was published last year and has been hailed as a critical call to action by leading environmentalists.

As a result of the Green Apple Award success, Mr Cooper has been invited to have a synopsis of his work published in The Green Book. It is a leading international work of reference on environmental best practice.

He could also progress to represent the UK in the Green World Awards 2018 and have 100 trees planted in his name as part of the United Nations Billion Trees initiative.

The Green Apple Awards began in 1994 and have become established as the country’s major recognition for environmental endeavour among companies, councils, communities and countries.

The awards are organised by The Green Organisation - an international, independent, non-political, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world.

The Green Apple Awards are supported by the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management and other independent bodies.

“I am very pleased that my work has been recognised, and that there will now be a further opportunity to highlight the impact that climate change is having in our country and in every country around the world," said Mr Cooper. "It is more important than ever that we take action to save our planet.”