BUSINESSES in County Durham have been praised for their success in a green tourism initiative.

Several Weardale businesses won awards in the national Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS), including Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum, which achieved a gold award.

Pasture Cottage, a Wolsingham-based self-catering business, and Low Cornriggs Farmhouse, a bed-and-breakfast and self-catering establishment in Cowshill, won silver awards.

Winners needed to demonstrate that they are minimising their impact on the environment and communicating their green credentials to customers.

Weardale comes under the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership area and its sustainable tourism officer, Shane Harris, has welcomed the successes.

He said: "We are delighted that these Weardale tourism businesses have achieved such excellent GTBS awards.

"Many visitors to Weardale and the wider North Pennines want to be environmentally-friendly and the GTBS quality seal of approval provides that assurance."

The AONB Staff Unit also won a gold award, in recognition of its environmental practices at its offices in Stanhope and support of sustainable and nature-based tourism in the North Pennines.

Carolyn Ramsbotham, from Pasture Cottage, said: "Being part of the GTBS demonstrates our commitment to the area for responsible business practice. Guests also know that they are making a positive contribution to the future of the dale."