A UNIVERSITY college is setting the standard for green tourism.

Durham University’s Collingwood College has been awarded gold status from the Green Tourism Business Scheme – the first student accommodation in the region to receive the honour.

The scheme’s audit committee said the college had “excellent systems in place which are designed to improveme the environmental management of the site”.

College bursar Michelle Crawford said: “Our environment team has worked hard to achieve the gold award. It’s amazing to have the same award as Gleneagles.”

Tara Duncan, the university’s environment co-ordinator, said it was a fantastic achievement and something other colleges were planning to work towards.