A HARDEN sports turf research firm has added to its growing list of accolades.

STRI Group collected two honours at the Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland Awards.

The scheme celebrates exceptional landscape projects.

STRI – together with landscape contractor Clive Richardson Ltd – was overall winner of the sportsground category for its design and consultancy services at Craven Cottage football stadium, home of Fulham FC.

And the two companies also picked-up the Special Award for Design and Build Excellence, with STRI senior consultant James Westwood receiving particular mention from the judges for his work on a "challenging" site.

"We were thrilled to be recognised for our services during the reconstruction of Fulham’s pitch," said Mr Westwood.

"Craven Cottage is a small, compact stadium with limited access to the site.

"However, working alongside Clive Richardson Ltd, we overcame these issues and successfully removed the existing pitch and installed a state-of-the-art stitched hybrid turf reinforcement system.

"Such was the success of the pitch reconstruction, we were also able to recycle the heating pipes which usually end up at landfill.

"We are very proud of what has been achieved, and it is fantastic to have been honoured twice by the association."