A PROJECT to smarten up a dales village has been named as one of 23 of the most outstanding schemes of the year.

Middleton in Teesdale environment improvement scheme, which has seen ugly tarmac and broken paving slabs replaced with stone paving, granite and whinstone setts and cobbles, received the award in the 2001 Civic Trust Awards announced this week.

Parish councillor John Miller, along with Coun Tony Seaman, of Teesdale District Council, travelled to London to collect the award at the Science Museum's new Welcome Wing.

Middleton Parish Council and the district council contributed to a partnership scheme overseen by Nicola Duckworth at Durham County Council. The scheme also attracted European funding.

Stockton's Arc centre, which includes two theatres, a performance space, cinema and cafe, received a commendation, as did the redevelopment of St John's Gate, Middlesbrough, a scheme of low cost houses on a reclaimed brownfield site.

A spokesman for the awards said not only did they celebrate design excellence, they also focused on the relationship between projects and the environment.