GREEN PROFITS ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD!

If you're looking for sensational returns on your investment, but are concerned about the environment, join the rush to invest in green funds.

Boosted by savers who are investing with their heart rather than their heads, the funds' popularity are soaring.

Last year a record pounds 1billion was invested in ethical investments. And since 1990, the popularity of green funds has grown three times over!

In the past, these funds have been thought of as relatively poor performers. But these days, environmental or ethical investing does NOT mean having to accept lower returns.

"Making money and green issues are no longer poles apart," said Barry Chambers of Family Assurance, the friendly society who have this month introduced an Ethical Bond, allowing people to save up to pounds 25 per month tax-free for 10 years or more, while supporting the environmental cause.

The Homeowners Friendly Society already has an ethical plan - the HFS Green Chip 2 Exempt Fund, which has adopted an environmental stance to reflect the concern that people have for the future of our planet.

Ethical funds tend to avoid investing in companies which are involved in tobacco, alcohol, the arms industry, pornography, gambling, vivisection, nuclear power, or in countries with oppressive regimes.

They have gained the support in the past of TV personalities such as Joanna Lumley, Valerie Singleton and David Bellamy.

Joanna was on the organising committee for the Friends Provident Stewardship trust. The committee helps choose the companies the fund invests in and ensures the fund keeps its ethical credibility.

Valerie Singleton performed a similar role for the Co-operative Insurance Environ trust, while David Bellamy advised the TSB Environmental Investor fund.

There are currently 15 unit trusts offering ethical or ecological investment opportunities. Current top performer is Credit Suisse's Fellowship fund, followed by Co-operative Insurance's Environ and Friends Provident's Stewardship.

Investment in these through a personal equity plan means all gains are tax-free. Alter- natively, you can link your pension or life assurance to an ethical investment, such as Skandia Life's Ethical Selection Fund.

This invests in a basket of the best-performing ethical unit trusts, so spreading the risk of any one fund falling in value.

For a free guide to ethical investments call independent financial advisers Holden Meehan on 0171 404 6442.

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