A MEDIA centre has been awarded an accolade confirming its position as one of the best places in the country to train.

Darlington College of Technology's media department has been presented with a North-East Training Award 2003 by UK Skills, in recognition of its work with industry, particularly with trainees from the country's largest newspaper group, Newsquest, which owns The Northern Echo.

About 200 organisations and individuals from all over the region entered the awards, and Darlington was the only college on a shortlist of 15.

Other finalists included Durham Prison, GlaxoSmithKline, Rohm and Haas UK Limited and City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust.

BBC presenter Wendy Gibson and UK Skills' chief executive, Linda Ammon, handed over the award to the college's principal and chief executive, Sarah Farley, and its director of external relations, Sue Campbell, at a ceremony in Newcastle.

Hundreds of trainee journalists from all over the country have taken the 20-week journalism course at the college, as well as additional media workshops.

More than 90 per cent of trainees go on to pass their National Certificate Examination in journalism, the highest success rate in the country.

The media department also enjoys status as a Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE), the only one in the North.

The national CoVE recognition allowed the college to receive £500,000 worth of funding.

Trainee broadcasters, journalists, graphic designers, photographers and cameramen now have use of a media design centre, featuring the latest technology, including 52 G4 Apple Mac computers, plasma screens, digital television and radio studios, design equipment and editing suites.

Ms Campbell said: "We have been working with industry to find a host of business solutions, and this award recognises the quality of training we are providing."