A GREEN industrial estate in the North-East was an unlikely winner of an accolade in the annual Britain in Bloom awards.

Sunderland's Doxford International Business Park won the Commercial Award, "for outstanding contribution from business and retail interests", at the 2002 Britain in Bloom presentation ceremony in Aberdeen.

Tom Hurst, chief investment officer with Sunderland City Council, said Doxford International has far more landscaping features than many industrial sites, with the environment and energy conservation a major consideration in the development.

"Our policy throughout the city is to achieve a balance between the needs of the environment and the requirements of the occupiers of the buildings," he said.

Saltburn, in east Cleveland, won the Britain in Bloom Community Award, in recognition of the part its residents played in brightening their surroundings.

There was no further joy for the region as Durham, one of seven short-listed finalists in the Large Town category, was edged out by Perth, in Scotland. Durham was a runner-up last year, and last won a national award in 1996