A BISHOP Auckland supermarket is the first in County Durham to land an award for having a crime-free car park.

The town's Asda store has been presented with the Park Mark award under an initiative led by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Since it became one of the first places to be recognised under the initiative's forerunner, the Secured Car Parks Scheme, a year ago, no car crimes have been recorded at the supermarket.

Superintendent Bruce Turnbull, of Durham Police, presented a Park Mark sign to Neil Stinson, the store's customer care manager.

Supt Turnbull said: "This is an excellent initiative which has helped to keep car crime down."

Mike Whitfield, development manager for the Safer Parking Scheme in the North-East, would like to see more stores involved. He said: "It shows great commitment to customer service."