A COUNTRY house restoration, a refurbished community arts building and a group of floral fanatics were the big winners in a prestigious environmental awards scheme.

Lartington Hall in Teesdale, Barnard Castle’s The Witham, and the Durham in Bloom campaign were all judged “outstanding” at last night’s (Thursday, November 13) County Durham Environment Awards ceremony.

A record-breaking 119 entries from across County Durham were submitted for this year’s awards in 12 categories.

The annual awards, now in their 25th year, are organised by the County Durham Environment Partnership and recognise great design, environmental achievement and community spirit.

Judges eventually selected 53 projects or individuals to be honoured for their hard work, dedication and commitment to improving their surroundings.

This year’s awards, announced at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Durham, also set another record with, for the first time, three projects being judged “outstanding” in a single ceremony.

In the built environment category, Lartington Hall, a listed country house, at Lartington, near Barnard Castle, was commended after being restored in keeping with its 17th Century origins.

It now hosts celebrations as well as fundraising events and opens to the public for special visits or community gatherings.

Also recognised in the built environment section was The Witham, a key part of Barnard Castle’s heritage. After its future was secured for use by the local community the building was designed to provide cultural and commercial facilities for a wide range of users.

Completing the trio of outstanding entries was Durham in Bloom, a community-based partnership of 15 organisations, praised in the places and spaces category.

Volunteers have dedicated nearly 3,500 hours to transforming Durham’s public and private open spaces and recently won gold in the prestigious Britain in Bloom.

Terry Collins, chairman of the County Durham Environment Partnership, said: “We have seen a record number of entries this year and the quality of them all has been absolutely fantastic.

“The standard of environmental projects taking place throughout the count and the efforts of the people who make them happen, never ceases to amaze.

“It is so important that we recognise the hard work and dedication of all those who have contributed to these entries, which benefit all those who live, work or visit the area. These awards are a great celebration of our environment.”