THE Wear Rivers Trust (WRT) director has won a national award for efforts to breathe new life into the river and bring together the different groups working to improve its environment.

Peter Nailon was presented with the 2014 Outstanding Contribution to the Rivers Trust Award at the umbrella organisation’s Autumn Conference in Norfolk.

This accolade is presented annually to the person judged to have made the biggest impact during the year on the life of their rivers and the trust set up to look after them.

Mr Nailon, who worked in logistics for Scottish & Newcastle Breweries and Asda Stores before embarking on a second environmental career with British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and Lantra Landskills, was a long-term volunteer with the WRT before being appointed as its director in 2012.

The Trust was set up in 2008 to conserve, protect, rehabilitate and improve the landscape and watercourses of the whole River Wear catchment.

Mr Nailon said: “I am absolutely thrilled to win the award, which recognises the hard work that everyone at the WRT is doing. However, I don’t see this as an award for me, but as an accolade for everyone involved with the work of the Trust. Volunteering opened many doors allowing me to gain the experience to develop a second career in environmental work”

Mr Nailon, who also won the Rivers Trust Volunteer and Community Engagement Award in 2011, was nominated for the top title by the Environment Agency.

The Rivers Trust is the umbrella body for almost 80 local rivers trusts across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The organisation’s North of England director, Alistair Malty, said: “Of the big three rivers in the North-East, the River Wear has the most potential.

“Peter has helped to bring together two bodies the River Wear Environment Trust and the Weardale Environmental Trust and create and effective team in a very difficult funding environment.

“He has worked very closely with the local community and has acted as a hub between it and the statutory agencies. He has been hugely instrumental in bringing together all of the stakeholders in the River Wear in a joint plan to ensure that the River Wear runs clear by 2020."