County project up for top award

Community projects in Barnard Castle were examined by judges

A multi-million pound project to transform town and village centres in County Durham will find out if it has scooped a prestigious national award.

The Urban and Rural Renaissance project is one of four shortlisted for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Sustainable Communities Award.

Judges examined how various partners work together to improve environments.

More than 200 schemes were entered and the winner will be announced at a ceremony in Manchester on Tuesday.

Rod Lugg, the county council's environment business manager, said: "Judges were impressed, particularly with community groups in Barnard Castle, Cockfield and New Brancepeth.

"They also looked at schemes in Willington and Crook and were very complimentary about partnerships involving community and business groups, the County Council and district councils and they way they worked together to improve the local environment.

"We know we are in competition with some very big city projects but just to be shortlisted is a massive achievement."