For a new project, the Kingston Freecycle group has drummed up an impressive amount of public support.

The Green Guardian had dozens of nominations for this online group, which shows that, since its beginning in April, it has struck a chord with people who use it.

"I think the reason our group has been so successful is that it makes recycling unwanted items so easy," said the group's founder Jon Marks, 36, from Kingston.

The internet scheme works by members posting information about any unwanted items they have. Other members can then search the items on offer and arrange to pick up anything that takes their fancy.

The only rules are that the items must be free, legal, and appropriate for all ages, which means that a large and sometimes eyebrow-raising selection of goodies can be found. Some more bizarre items on offer since the group's launch include daily doses of ferret poo (for getting rid of rats,) a large knee bone, and a piece of a Monarch aircraft that "fell out the sky."

"I've used Freecycle to get hold of a lot of computer equipment for my freelance work, all sorts of things go on offer," said Jon.

The concept of Freecycle originated in 2003 in Arizona to prevent desert landscape being taken over by landfill sites. it was later adopted by London groups and started in Kingston in April this year. The Kingston group currently has over 2,000 members and is in continuous active business'.

Jon said growing environmental awareness led him to get involved with Freecycle: "I gradually became converted to environmental causes. I am a keen cyclist and as public awareness of issues has increased I have started thinking about things I hadn't given much thought to before."

He has done a lot to promote the group with various information stalls in the town centre, and the group was also represented at Kingston's annual Green Fair.

"Hearing about green businesses at the awards ceremony has made me think about ways we can introduce Freecycle to the workplace. It really can work anywhere," he said.

"I'm always impressed with the Green Guardian page and am ecstatic to have won an award. "