A WEBSITE devised for an acclaimed children's author has earned the North-East producers a national design award.

Durham web design company Cornwell Internet came first in the children's website category at the Visionary Design Awards 2004.

It is a reward for the firm's efforts in devising the site used by Anne Fine, the Teesdale writer best known for penning Madame Doubtfire, later made into the hit film Mrs Doubtfire.

The couple behind the company, Roger Cornwell and Jean Rogers, also earned a shortlisting for a second site in the awards, which were staged by the National Library for the Blind.

Their site for the Newcastle Quaker Meeting was a runner-up in the voluntary organisations category.

Mr Cornwell and Ms Rogers received their awards at a ceremony in London, hosted by presenter Loyd Grossman.

The awards were given to sites described as making "outstanding efforts in ensuring their content is accessible to visually-impaired people".

The library's chief executive, Helen Brazier, said: "These awards are incredibly important. We estimate that less than a third of all websites are accessible to visually-impaired people.

"Our challenge to web designers and publishers is to create sites which are attractive and informative, but which also comply with the Disability Discrimination Act by being accessible, too."

Mr Cornwell said: "We're very pleased to have won, and that a second site was shortlisted.

"We think it's a real feather in our cap. Our commitment to accessibility is a central element of our approach to website design, and it's pleasing this has been recognised by the judges."

The winning sites are www.annefine.co.uk and www.quakers-in-newcastle.org.uk, while details of Cornwell Internet are available on www.cornwellinternet.co.uk