A SOCIAL enterprise which recycles and re-homes unwanted furniture has been named as Green Business of the Year in The Herald Business Awards 2014.

Surplus Rescue CIC is a not-for-profit community and environmental business which was set up to utilise surplus waste materials left over from construction projects across Plymouth.

Businesswoman Shelly Monk this year moved her business into new units near Stonehouse Creek.

Surplus Rescue is, as its full name reveals, a community interest company, which works in all sectors, including manufacturing and retail, redistributing goods and materials rather than sending them to landfill.

Mrs Monk also works with Dartmoor Zoo and its charitable trust and was responsible for sustainable materials for the meerkat enclosure, and several thousand tons of hardcore for the visitor car park.

Judges were impressed by the social enterprise’s continuing success in a category designed to honour the business which has shown outstanding concern for the environment.

The category was sponsored by First Great Western, whose Lee Edworthy presented the award.

Paul Burton, editor of The Herald, said: “Shelly has done an amazing job building a successful business which is also doing so much to help the environment. A true inspiration.”