A RECORD number of nominations have been received for an environmental awards scheme.

Winners of the annual County Durham Environment Awards are to be announced next month, recognising individuals, businesses, schools and community groups that have made the county a better place in which to live.

A total of 68 nominations were made before the July deadline and a judging panel is now sifting through the entries ahead of the awards ceremony to be held on October 9, in Durham City.

Among the dozens of nominees vying for the awards, covering both the natural and built environment, are projects as diverse as an organic farm at Barnard Castle and the restoration of a 19th Century lead mining engine house at Rookhope.

In all, awards will be presented in 11 categories, the largest number since the awards were first staged in 1989.

It also sees the first staging of the new category of Volunteer Group of the Year with nominees including the Wheatley Hill Angling Club and the East Durham Heritage Group, for its work on the restoration of the George Elmy lifeboat.

The full list of categories is: 􀁥 Built environment; 􀁥 Climate change; 􀁥 Craftsmanship; 􀁥 Community partnership; 􀁥 Greener business; 􀁥 Natural environment and countryside improvement; 􀁥 Schools and colleges; 􀁥 Volunteer group of the year; 􀁥 Volunteer of year (Under-18); 􀁥 Volunteer of year (Over -18); 􀁥 Waste management.

The awards, staged by the County Durham Environment Partnership, are sponsored by The Northern Echo, Home Group, Groundwork, Livin and Durham Wildlife Trust.