BASILDON’S Eastgate Centre has won another trophy, the eighth the shopping centre has picked up over the past five months.

The complex has been awarded a Purple Apple Marketing Merit award for its green credentials.

It was presented to general manager Hans Wustefeld, at an awards evening in London.

It was given to the Eastgate in recognition of the venue hosting the Basildon Green Business Forum’s Art Challenge last year.

Mr Wustefeld, said: “This was an extremely prestigious occasion for shopping centres and was organised by the British Council of Shopping Centres to reward centres that have excelled in marketing their venues.

“This is a great honour for Eastgate, and one we accept proudly on behalf of the enterprising spirit that exists to make Basildon the greenest possible town.

“Last year’s art challenge was a triumph for the Basildon Green Business Forum, of which we are a major player, and demonstrated how much local businesses are doing for the environment”.

The challenge saw local firms sponsoring artists to create works that depicted making the town the envy of others in the region.

It ran initially for nine days but was such a success it was extended for a further week.

The centre now has a packed trophy cabinet after raking in a multitude of customer service and other awards this year.