ORGANISERS of a fun-filled day of environmental activities have hailed the event a big success.

About 3,000 people visited the Altogether Greener event, in Millennium Place, Durham City, on Saturday.

Mary Readman, from Durham County Council’s neighbourhood services department, said: “It went really well considering the weather.

It was very well received.”

The event was staged on the eve of World Environment Day by the County Durham Environment Partnership.

The group aims to cut waste, tackle climate change, improve the environment and encourage people to be proud of their area.

It was launched by council leader Simon Henig, before Tidy Business Awards were presented to local organisations that had improved the environment around their premises.

Gold awards went to New College, in Durham City, Mc- Donald’s, in Consett, Stanley Town Council, Hawskhead Court sheltered housing, in Newton Aycliffe, Sainsbury’s, in Sedgefield, and the Pioneering Care Centre, in Newton Aycliffe. Silver awards went to Forever Flowers, in Stanley, Byron Place shopping centre, in Seaham, and the Fat Buddha restaurant, in Durham City.

There were also presentations to the winners of a school photography competition.

The overall winner was Bethany Cockerill, from Byerley Park Primary, in Newton Aycliffe.

A litter reward scheme was won by Stewart Sowerby, of Spennymoor.

This year’s County Durham Environment Awards were also launched. The closing date for nominations is Friday, July 15.

Meanwhile, there were performances by Black Rigg Rappers, Dance Infusion, school pupils and an Indian dancer.

A new-look Neighbourhood Watch scheme, covering ecocrimes such as littering and fly-tipping, was launched, as was the Woodland Trust’s visitwood.org.uk website.

The partnership website is at countydurhampartnership.

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