A DIGITAL business centre in rural County Durham has been recognised for boosting job prospects in its community.

NeST Business and Community Hub in Barnard Castle, which is part of DigitalCity Business (DCB) in Middlesbrough, won the Business and Economy category and the overall North-East accolade at the North Action for Market Towns Awards.

Based in a former car showroom NeST is already home to two digital photographers, a filmmaker, an art gallery and caf as well as temporary office space for fledgling technology businesses.

Project manager Anne Allen, who works with regeneration partner Barnard Castle Vision, said the awards provide an opportunity to showcase the project nationally.

She said: "As the first rural satellite of DCB it is great to get this recognition for Teesdale and the wider North East.

"Our links through the team at DCB provide us with a huge amount of help we wouldnt otherwise have access to, including coaching, mentoring and business growth workshops.

"We can also use the facilities at Boho One in Middlesbrough and have the support of being part of such an innovative organisation."

Mark South, director of cluster development for DigitalCity Business said: "NeST is a really exciting development for us, it means we are spreading the word to a wider audience about how we can help digital and creative businesses grow and succeed."

Middlesbrough-based DCB also has satellites bases in Redcar and Stockton.