A COUNCIL and leisure building in Redcar has scooped a national award.

The Redcar & Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart Building won the Civic Building of the Year award - alongside Manchester Central Library - at a ceremony in Bristol.

The work to revamp Redcar's seafront, with flood prevention, landscaping and a new promenade, also won the council and its partner the Environment Agency the regeneration award, at the Civic Building of the Year awards.

Cllr Dale Quigley, cabinet member for economic growth at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council said: “We are delighted that the Heart building and the rejuvenated seafront are being recognised on this scale.

“Since the Heart opened, thousands of local people have used the excellent facilities that are available which include the swimming pool and gym, and it has become an integral part of the community.

“This latest award is fantastic news for the area and is a great reflection of the hard work that has gone into regenerating the borough.”