THE Bishop of Durham yesterday spoke of his fond memories of criss-crossing the county during his nine years in the diocese.

Just weeks after revealing his intention to stand down next April, the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull said among the things he will miss most will be the county's attractive countryside and pretty villages.

Bishop Turnbull was speaking as he presented the awards in the annual Durham County Tidy Village Competition.

He praised the 27 communities represented at the awards ceremony at County Hall for their efforts to improve their local environment, and the remaining 65 which just missed out on the accolades.

The entry of 93 means only six parish or town councils in the county failed to take part in the 42nd year of a competition aimed at encouraging local pride in settlements of 6,000 people or fewer across Durham.

Bishopton, Satley, High Pittington, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Sedgefield and Barningham took the top prizes, with Wolsingham Primary School winning the schools' award.

Referring to the glorious October weather, the bishop told the award winners: "What a delight it is to be here on a day like this.

"Where else would you want to be than among the lovely spaciousness and nice villages of County Durham on such a day?

"But it's not just about the prettiness, it's about the health of our planet.

"On a large scale we will watch the effluent from major industry, and count the trees in the great forests, but on a small scale in our own villages and our own gardens we will contribute in a small way.

"I've consistently admired the gardens and settings I've seen travelling across the county. I would give them all a prize," added the bishop.

County council chairman Charles Magee said the "magnificent" entry reflected the pride the people of Durham have in their own communities.

* Award winners: Council for the Protection of Rural England Trophy for Small Premier Villages - Bishopton; The Northern Echo Trophy for Small General Villages - Satley; The Northern Echo Trophy for Large Premier Villages - Sedgefield; British Coal Trophy for Large General Villages - Middleton-in-Teesdale; Wear Valley Trophy for Hamlets - Barningham; Harry Eggleston and Son Trophy for Medium Villages - High Pittington.Under Seven's Favourite Flower Painting - Bethany Emmerson of Wolsingham Primary, Abigail Rowell of St Hild's CE Durham, and Helena Slanickova of Shincliffe CE.Seven to Ten Years' Design a Bookmark - Rachael Atkinson Millmoor of Wolsingham Primary, Vicky Johnson of Bowburn Juniors, and Rebecca Fielding of Copeland Road Juniors, West Auckland. Over Ten's Design a Book Cover for a Countryside Diary - Bradley French of Shincliffe CE, Samantha Hawkins of Wolsingham Primary, and Emma Moody of Beaumont Hill Primary, Darlington. Durham County Council School Cup - Wolsingham Primary.