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Toyota and its luxury car division have won a green award at a car of the year ceremony.

The What Car? judges chose Toyota and its Lexus division for the new award for the company's attempts to cut environmental damage.

The firm's investment in hybrid and clean diesel technology was rewarded with the ceremony's first ever award for eco friendly vehicles.

Lexus has recently launched the petrol-electric RX400h 4x4, with a petrol-electric GS450h saloon expected out in the coming months.

The award was introduced following widespread dismay that the gas guzzling Land Rover Discovery won the magazine's car of the year vote in 2005.

A magazine spokesman told the Daily Record: "We felt this year was right to introduce our first ever green award to a car maker who is actually taking steps to be more environmentally friendly.

"As 4x4s become even more popular among British drivers, it takes courage to buck the trend," he continued.

Toyota is no stranger to receiving accolades for its environmentally friendly projects.

The Japanese firm will have a total of five hybrid vehicles on sale by the end of this year, including petrol-electric Prius and Camry models, and a petrol-electric version of its Estima minivan.

The diesel powered BMW 320d ES won the car of the year award.