WHEN this year's Environment Champion started single-handedly to erase graffiti tags near his home he wanted to remain anonymous.

But the response has been so overwhelming that Terry Hayward is now happy to reveal his identity, and said that he was embarrassed to have been nominated for the award.

Mr Hayward, of Burnham Road, Park North, won the award, which is run jointly by the Advertiser and Swindon Council, for his dedication to improving the area where he lives by cleaning the graffiti and also buying and planting shrubs in the area.

"When I found out I had been nominated for the award I was embarrassed," he said.

"That was because I just felt like I was trying to help create a better town by removing some of the graffiti and obscene pictures and all the rest of it you see," said the 74-year-old.

"I don't feel like I was doing anything extraordinary and it is something a lot more people could do."

He was nominated for the award by John Brownlee, who praised Mr Hayward's commitment to the area and the good deeds his does without pay or praise.

The pensioner first hit the headlines in March, when the Adver reported about the phantom graffiti cleaner who was eradicating the mark of dozens of taggers in Parks and Walcot.

Starting out by cleaning three bus shelters and telephone boxes the former Londoner aimed to frustrate the graffitists by cleaning off their handiwork before anyone had a chance to see it.

And the plan has worked and Mr Hayward now cleans more than 20 bus shelters in the area.

"I'm happy to be named now," said Mr Hayward.

"When I'm out in my white jumpsuit and mask, vans and cars beep and wave and I've had some good feedback."

While all of his hard work is paying off, Mr Hayward wants to see more residents doing their bit to make Swindon a nicer place to live.

He said that a return to the old days when residents would be out on their doorsteps first thing in the morning, bleaching their steps and talking to one another, would be a step in the right direction.

"I don't think many people in Swindon know the names of their neighbours," he said.

"If people were out talking to one another, and taking a pride in their area, then attitudes would change and this kind of vandalism might stop."