FIVE councils across the North-East and North Yorkshire have been awarded Beacon Status for developing pioneering approaches to essential local services.

The councils have been given the honour for projects tackling regeneration through culture, sport and tourism, local health strategies and vehicle crime.

Four authorities in the North-East were given the status, Gateshead Borough Council, North Tyneside Council, Stockton Borough Council and City of Sunderland Council. North Tyneside has gained a double distinction for its local health strategies and tackling vehicle crime.

Gateshead received the Beacon status for regenerating through culture, sport and tourism, Stockton for health strategies, and Sunderland for regenerating thr-ough culture, sport and tourism.

York City Council was given the status for raising attainment through education. The authorities were among 39 who were awarded the status nationally.

Ann Baxter, director of Stockton council's social services, said: "This is a tribute to everyone who has worked so hard together to reduce the barriers between health and social care and offer accessible seamless services for the most vulnerable people in our communities."

Beacon Status councils are expected to act as pace-setters. It is a boost for Gateshead and Newcastle's bid to become Britain's next European Capital of Culture.