SCHOOLS and businesses across Darlington have been recognised for their efforts to promote healthy eating.

The Heartwise School Food award honours the work of schools, nurseries and colleges that have good hygiene systems, offer healthy lunchtime options and sugar-free or low sugar snacks.

Heartbeat and Heartbeat Gold awards were presented to traders who have smoke-free eating establishments and offer healthy meals. The awards have been created by Darlington Borough Council's public protection division, supported by the primary care trust.

The awards are endorsed by the Chartered Institute for Environmental Health and the British Heart Foundation.

Winners were:

Heartwise School Food awards went to Abbey Infants, Abbey Junior, Cockerton CE Primary, Corporation Road Community Primary, Hurworth Primary, Kids & Co Workplace Nursery (Town Hall), Kids & Co Workplace Nursery (McNay Street), Middleton St George CE Primary, St John's CE Primary, St Teresa's RC Primary, St Bede's RC Primary, Rise Carr Primary, Dodmire Junior, Eastbourne, Branksome School, Hummersknott School and Language College, Dodmire Infants and Nursery, Harrowgate Hill Infants, Skerne Park Primary, Whinfield Primary, Darlington Borough Council School Meals Catering Service.

Heartbeat Awards went to Chatterbox Caf, Skerne Park, Hugo's Restaurant, Hallgarth Golf & Country Club Hotel, Redworth Hall Hotel, Stables Bar, Hallgarth Golf & country club hotel, Stressholme Golf Centre, Arts Centre, Spotted Dog Gastro Pub.

Heartbeat Gold Awards went to Aramark Contract Catering, International Fire Training Centre, Bannatyne's Health Club, P & A Catering, Cummins Engine Co Ltd, Darlington Memorial Hospital Patient Services, Darlington Memorial Hospital Hollies Restaurant, Elderwood Darlington, Eurest Catering at Orange (Meridian), Eurest Catering at Orange (Nexus), Oak Room Restaurant at Darlington College of Technology, Oak Room Bistro at Darlington College of Technology, Student Centre at Darlington College of Technology, Woodlands Hospital, Cooper's Coffee House, Affinity Health Care (Patient Services), Affinity Health Care (Restaurant), Dalkieth House, Catkins Coffee Shop, GJ's Restaurant, O'Brien's Irish Sandwich Bar, Massarrella's Cappuccino Bar (Binns), Middleton Hall, Caf Unique, and Haughton Village Care Home.