A PARK which has been transformed from a pit heap into an oasis of beauty is celebrating being presented with a national award.

A green flag was hoisted over Herrington Country Park yesterday to mark winning the award from the national charity Civic Trust.

The 200-hectare park opened four years ago, on land reclaimed from a former colliery site near Penshaw, Sunderland.

An 11-million tonne pit heap had to be removed and landscaped. It is now the site of 10kms of cycleway, 5kms of bridleway and a showground containing eight lakes.

Its grasslands are home to birds including skylark, lapwing, swan, moorhen, coot, swift and heron, as well as rabbits and foxes. It is also plays host to the annual Durham County Show, the North-East Motor Show and this year's Radio 1 Big Weekend.

Landscape and reclamation manager Keith Hamilton said: "The transformation of this former colliery is by no means complete, there is still much work to be done, but this award shows we are well on our way."

Councillor Mel Speding, a member of Sunderland City Council's cabinet, said: "It has been amazing to see this transformation of the site at Herrington from what was a scar on the landscape, to a park which has developed and matured into a tremendous asset for everyone in the city to enjoy."