A VOLUNTARY group has picked up an award for its work to resurrect six historic standing stones.

The Rotary Club of Guisborough and Great Ayton has won the region's award for the best environmental project organised by a Rotary Club.

The prize was in recognition of the work of the organisation in helping to replace the Six Stoupes, which were erected several hundred years ago on the Whitby to Guisborough moor road, near Birk Brow.

The stones marked a safe passage across a boggy stretch of the moorland, in the days before roads.

In recent years, they had been damaged by modern traffic and displaced by highway maintenance work.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council approached the group to help source some replacement stones, while it would carry out the installation work.

Local farmers and landowners responded to an appeal and, within weeks, they provided a set of suitable stones.

Past district Rotary governor Syd Howard presented the annual award at the Rotary Clubs' regional conference, on Saturday, in Leeds Town Hall.

The local club president, solicitor Mark Hards, said: "We were delighted to have been of service right on our own doorstep."

Presenting the award, Mr Howard said: "This was a model Rotary project. It involved the local community from the outset. It has restored a piece of the local heritage and it will remind local people of the work of Rotary International for many years to come."