THE TEAM behind the North-East’s Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art are celebrating being voted the UK’s Best Arts Project at The National Lottery Awards Show.

The Baltic, in Gateshead, featured on the BBC One show hosted by John Barrowman after beating hundreds of projects to the prestigious title.

Representatives from Baltic mingled with celebrities at the glittering awards ceremony, including Melanie C, Colin Salmon and a host of Team GB athletes.

Accepting the award for Best Art Project, Godfrey Worsdale, director of the Baltic said: “It is an absolute honour to win this award and a real boost for everyone involved in Baltic to receive national recognition for their hard work and dedication.

“Lottery funding has been absolutely crucial to the gallery and the National Lottery Awards have given us a great opportunity to highlight our work.

“We have received fantastic support throughout the competition and I would especially like to thank everyone who has voted for us.”

Actress Tamzin Outhwaite, who presented the Award at the ceremony in London on Saturday, said: “To think that a few years ago Baltic was a derelict, empty building is astonishing.

“The team behind Baltic have done an amazing job using Lottery funding to create a world-class arts venue showcasing an ever-changing programme of dynamic exhibitions.”