ALTHOUGH he has travelled the world, Dr Spray, who lives in Weardale, remains proudest of projects on his doorstep, singling out several in the North-East in which Northumbrian Water has played a crucial role, including:

* The Skerne Restoration Project, in Darlington, a partnership with the Environment Agency and Darlington Borough Council to bring back to life a stretch of the river through the east end of the town

l The creation of nationally important wetlands at the Howdon water treatment works on Tyneside

l The transformation of the old sewage works site at the Low Barns nature reserve, at Witton le Wear, in County Durham, into a wetland area run by Durham Wildlife Trust, a partnership project between several organisations, which started in 2000

l The planned reintroduction of the endangered red kite to parts of Gateshead, a project in which Northumbrian Water is a partner

"These are things I will enjoy coming back to the North-East to see," said Dr Spray.

Richard Wood, the chief executive of Durham Wildlife Trust, one of Northumbrian Water's closest partners over the last 13 years, said: "Chris has been a tremendous friend to Durham Wildlife Trust and all environmental organisations in the North-East over a long period. We wish him and his family well."

Published: 11/05/2004