TWO Gwent men have been recognised for their efforts in using eco-friendly practices after a Wales-wide search.

Abergavenny's Chris Wardle, 63, and Alastair McGowan from Grosmont made the first Wales Green list, using nominations from the public.

A panel scoured nominations to chose the final 52, one for each week of the year, and a photo exhibition featuring 21 of the list will tour across Wales after coming back from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington DC.

Compiled by Sustain Wales, the list includes people from all walks of life.

Mr Wardle has been farming for 20 years, 18 of those organically. A beef and sheep farmer, he uses animal manure for fertilizer as opposed to chemicals and was involved in founding the Abergavenny Food Festival.

He said he was "very pleased" to get the recognition.

Mr McGowan started Abergavenny Freecycle and Monmouth Freecycle, where people offer goods they no longer want to other members. His family also grow their own food.

He is also the South Wales representative for Fair Energy CIC – a group which aims to develop sustainable domestic heating systems with profits going to help similar projects in Africa.