THE inaugural Best of Darlington awards have been hailed as the town's answer to the Oscars, and calls have already started for the event to become an annual occasion.

A celebration ceremony on Friday night was attended by some of the borough's leading figures, who saw awards given to numerous worthy winners, who have truly proved themselves to be the best of Darlington.

Thirteen awards were given to groups and individuals who have dedicated themselves to making the borough a more vibrant place to live and work, and whose work can too often go unrecognised.

The winners of the awards -sponsored by Darlington Football Club, organised by Darlington Partnership and supported by The Northern Echo and Darlington Borough Council -were each given £100 and a framed certificate to commemorate their achievements.

Winners had to be nominated by people who were eager to see their contribution to the community recognised, or as a result of winning an accolade in other award ceremonies last year.

Of the night's prize-winners, two people -David Cox and Kevin Nicholson - were named the citizen and young citizen of the year respectively. They were given trophies and £100 to donate to the charity of their choice.

Organisers and guests joined together to hail the event, held at the TFM Darlington Arena, as a huge success, and called for it to be made an annual event.

Peter Barron, the editor of The Northern Echo, who compered the event, told the packed audience that the awards were a way of highlighting the vast amount of good work that was carried out in the borough.

"This is the first time that awards given throughout the year have been brought together in celebration of what is the best of Darlington," he said.

"Too often newspapers are said to report bad news, but here is an opportunity to highlight the very best. We hope to be able to continue this event in years to come."

Alan Charlton, the last Darlington Citizen of the Year who was recently awarded an MBE, hailed the night as "Darlington's Oscars", and said: "This truly is a wonderful occasion; one I hope can become a yearly event."

Alasdair MacConachie, the chairman of Darlington Partnership, said he was confident the evening would be the first of many events.

He said: "This is a very important part of Darlington; it is a very great place to be, and I already look forward to being involved in this event next year."

Darlington Football Club chairman Stewart Davies could not attend the event, but sent a message in his absence.

He said: "It makes me humble to reflect on how much good work goes on in our community, and it is only right and proper these achievements get public recognition."

The night's winners were all presented with their prizes by their category sponsors, and the audience was entertained by a musical performance by Anna Reed, nine, who won the young person's contribution to the arts award.

The new citizen and young citizen of the year both spoke of their shock at winning the accolade.

Mr Cox, who helped set up and develop The Forum Music Centre, dedicated the award to his wife, Valerie, and his colleagues.

He said: "I am totally flattered and delighted, but very shocked. I want to say thank you to everyone who has helped make The Forum what it is.

"It has been so difficult at times to get going and has been a big project, but I am so pleased people are starting to see what we are trying to do."

He said his aim was to continue developing the venue and seek more backing from across the town to uncover the unsung and unsigned musical talent Darlington has to offer.

Young citizen Kevin, 17, was given the accolade for his outstanding work as the town's Member of Youth Parliament (MYP).

"I am really proud. There are a lot of young people who would have been equally worthy winners, but I am very honoured to have been chosen.

"But I could not have done it without the help of the young people who supported me during my year as MYP."

Mr Cox will donate his prize to the Mayor's charity, the Darlington Music Festival, and Kevin will give his to St Teresa's Hospice, which he chose as his charity of the year during his term as MYP.

The thirteen winners were selected by a seven-strong judging panel, including Mr Barron; Darlington Borough Council chief executive Ada Burns; Nonnie Crawford, the director of public health at Darlington Primary Care Trust; Alan Charlton, the chairman of the Friends of Darlington Memorial Hospital; Darlington Mayor Stella Robson; Ian Rogers, the chief officer at Darlington Council for Voluntary Services; and Steve Rose, the chief executive of Darlington Partnership.

They said they were very impressed with the standard of entries.

The winners' outstanding achievements were outlined to the audience, and are summarised in The Northern Echo today.

Cummins Engine Company, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, was also recognised for its contribution to the town's economy and the wider community.