A BUSINESS centre that opened less than a year ago has celebrated the festive season in style by winning four awards.

The £2.35m Springboard Business Centre, in Stokesley, has been honoured by architects, planning officers, surveyors and the business world for its design and environmental concepts.

The first award was the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors' Pro Yorkshire award, which recognised its design and building excellence.

Then came a Landmark environmental award which saw it beat competition from across the North-East.

It took one of the 12 prizes in the Royal Institute of British Architects' White Rose Awards for sustainability.

It was then named top regional building by the Royal Town Planning Institute.

The centre opened in March and houses 20 businesses in incubator units - each serviced by a central reception, management office and conference facility.

Its design came out of an international architectural competition and contains the latest in sustainable features and energy-efficient concepts. London architects McDowell and Benedetti created its distinctive look, complete with water collection systems, soundproofing, and temperature and light-controlled louvres.

The louvres - overlapping wooden slats in frame - help to control the temperature inside, making the most of sunshine in the winter and offering shade in the summer.

"Winning one award was brilliant, but to rack up four is a massive achievement," said Hambleton District Councillor Ralph Andrew.

"We beat off tough competition to gain all the awards. We were up against the cream of buildings from across the North-East and Yorkshire."