RESIDENTS are invited to join schoolchildren, volunteers, and business people for Swindon's free annual Quality of Life Awards ceremony and 'Eco-bash' on Friday.

Mayor Peter Stoddart will open the event, which will feature displays from schools and dozens of organisations involved in projects to improve quality of life and the environment in the borough.

Visitors will be able to find out more about projects such as the Children's Scrapstore, Ridgeway School's 'Garden of the Future' and Swindon Churches renewable energy scheme and have an opportunity to meet many people actively involved in local projects.

The event will also host Swindon Borough Council's annual Quality of Life Awards prizegiving ceremony.

This year 21 organisations applied for an award. Caroline Jackson MEP will present prizes to the winning school and community/voluntary group and present an overall winner with the Quality of Life trophy currently held by Peatmoor Community Woodland Group. The event, at the Punjabi Community Centre (behind the Sikh Temple) in Gorse Hill, has been organised by the Local Agenda 21 team at Swindon Borough Council with volunteers and is sponsored by Swindon Pulse Wholefoods Co-operative.

Doors open at 10.30am. Prizegiving is at 1pm and will be followed by a performance given by Swindon's Bollywood Dancers.

The Quality of Life Awards 2005/6 will be officially launched and if you have an idea, are planning or running a project and would like to apply for an award, call Lynn Forrester on 01793 463197.