Saltburn'S new bandstand is one of five winning projects in Redcar and Cleveland's first design awards.

A panel of architects, landscapers, surveyors and planners picked five winners and gave commendations to four other entries.

The competition was organised by Redcar and Cleveland Council's urban design officer, Roger Higgins.

He said: "We wanted developers, architects and the public to think imaginatively about design and work together to create better places to live. These nine examples show that well thought-out development can improve the quality of the borough."

The bandstand in Valley Gardens was designed and built with money from the Lottery, a grant from the Foundation for Sports and Arts and fundraising by Saltburn 500 Club.

Jackie Taylor, spokeswomen for the club, said: " We are absolutely thrilled with the award. Hundreds of people from all over are coming to listen to music in the bandstand."

Performances are held from May until September on Saturday evenings, from 6.30-8pm, and on Sunday afternoons, from 2.30-4pm.

Also taking top honours was the Old Co-op in Loftus, built in 1874.

The supermarket closed in 1986 and was left mostly empty until renovation work started in 2000, when the building was bought by Loftus Development Trust. It is now home to a number of training and business advice organisations, including Business Link and Sure Start.

Colin Jubb, from Reid Jubb Brown, architects responsible for the project, said: "We tried to make it very welcoming and to make the interior of the building visible to people passing by on the street."

The Innovation Centre, on Kirkleatham's Business Park, also shared the top award. The purpose-built modern office development for UK Steel Enterprises was designed by Stokesley firm, P and H S Architects and was built by Walter Thompson Contractors from Northallerton.

Joe Biggs, from P and H S, said "We are very flattered with the award. The scheme is a really good move in the right direction for Redcar and Cleveland Council."

Also collecting top honours were the Millennium Green, Grangetown, and the Up Front railings, South Bank.

Commended projects were the old blacksmith's in Eston; modern apartments built in Victorian/Edwardian style in Zetland Court, Saltburn; the rescue of the nineteenth century Oddfellows Hall, Loftus, and Bakehouse Square mural in Guisborough, which was deigned by local children and artist Andrew McKeown.