A GREEN-MINDED businessman looks set to be rewarded with a top environmental award.

Norman Prophett and his family firm, Caratrans (Crewe) Limited is on the brink of success in an international campaign to find the most conservation conscious companies, councils and communities.

Last year he was awarded the MBE for his services to the environment after modifying his haulage vehicles to run on natural gas.

Now Mr Prophett, 68, is shortlisted to join other contenders in the finals of the Green Apple Environment Awards.

Winners will be invited to the House of Commons to be presented with their trophies in November.

Judges were impressed with the growth of Caratrans which transports vehicles and parts for a string of major car companies.

The haulage company, based in Weston Road, Crewe was set up in 1987, but after witnessing the effect diesel trucks were having on the environment, Mr Prophett looked for a greener solution.

One of the methods tested was compressed natural gas - the same gas piped into homes for cooking and heating, which burns cleaner than petrol or diesel.

In 2000 Mr Prophett bought two gas-powered trucks. Since then he has built a fleet of 28 HGVs converted to run on the eco-friendly fuel.

He said: 'Over the past four years we have been using gas an alternative fuel, we have saved 200 tons of nitrous oxide pollution which is equivalent to 12,000 cars off the road.

'We have also saved around eight tons of particulate emissions which is equivalent to 20,000 cars. We've also made significant savings in our fuel costs.'