DOZENS of volunteers and projects have been recognised for their dedication to the environment at an awards ceremony.

Projects as varied as work to protect a colony of breeding terns and the conservation of a deserted medieval village were honoured at the County Durham Environment Awards.

The awards, which are run by County Durham’s Environment Partnership and were first held in 1989, were presented at a ceremony in the Radisson Blu Hotel, in Durham City, last night A total of 27 awards across ten categories were presented to community groups, businesses and individuals from across the county, with commendations made to projects which provide a valuable contribution to the environment, and awards to projects demonstrating the highest quality.

On the night, two cases were singled out for outstanding awards – Trevor Stephenson, of the Heritage Coast project, who was honoured in the over-18 volunteer category for his hard work in protecting birdlife along the County Durham coastline; and Peter Kempsey, of Alstonbased Countryside Consultants, for his conservation work on the bridge, chapel and dovecote at the abandoned village of Barforth, near Gainford.

In the under-18 volunteer category, sponsored by The Northern Echo, Luke Birt, of Cotsford Primary School, Horden, was presented with an award, while there were commendations for Sarah Jackson and Dillon Morton, of Durham Community Business College, and Danielle Hubery and Shannon Pottle, of Easington Community Science College.

Terry Collins, chairman of the County Durham Environment Partnership, said: “The standard has been excellent and those receiving awards and commendations are worthy winners.”

He added: “The outstanding award is not given every year, and it is a testament to the quality of the submissions that we have been able to honour two very different entrants for the valuable contributions that they have made.

“The first outstanding award is being presented to Trevor Stephenson for his many hours of volunteering work, co-ordinating the monitoring and protection of the tern breeding colony on the Durham heritage coast.

“Trevor has promoted the cause of the little tern in schools and via the media and community groups.

“The second outstanding award is being presented to Peter Kempsey countryside consultants, in recognition of their outstanding skill and care in preserving the three historic structures in Barforth.”