A TEENAGER who turned his back on a life of crime with help from a gardening project has been honoured at an environment awards.

Dylan Etheridge, from Dipton, County Durham, was involved in crime and anti-social behaviour and had strained relations with his family until he took an interest in the Haggrid project in 2013.

Dylan was inspired by the acclaimed youth development and citizenship programme, run by Durham Agency Against Crime and Durham Police, and went on to help other young people stay on the straight and narrow. In March, the North Durham Academy pupil received a Shrievalty Award.

Last night (Tuesday, November 24), he was named Volunteer of the Year in the under 18 category at the County Durham Environment Awards.

Also honoured at the prestigious awards, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Durham City, were the new-build projects Wear Referrals Veterinary Hospital at Bradbury and the Mainsforth Sports Pavilion near Ferryhill, Durham School’s new chapel window, Sustrans volunteer Bob Sorley, Shotton Colliery-based volunteer group Our Place, Durham University’s Green Move Out scheme and many others.

In all there were 66 entries from across the county and 36 made the shortlists across 12 categories.

Entries included new buildings, restoration projects, neighbourhood planting displays, community, school and youth projects and environment enhancement schemes.

Terry Collins, chair of the County Durham Environment Partnership and corporate director for neighbourhood services at Durham County Council, said: “The quality of the environmental projects taking place in County Durham and the commitment of the people who make these things happen never fails to impress.

“These awards provide a fitting recognition to the tremendous efforts of those individuals, groups and organisations that help to make our environment better.

“I congratulate all those who have received an award this year.”

The County Durham Environment Awards are supported by The Northern Echo, Groundwork, Banks Group, Durham Wildlife Trust and Durham County Council.

Visit countydurhampartnership.co.uk/envawards

All the winners

Built environment: The Bowers, Durham City, Award

Built environment: Wear Referrals Veterinary Hospital, Bradbury, Award

Built environment: Bluebell Court, Lanchester, Commendation

Built environment: Mainsforth Sports Pavilion, Commendation

Built environment: Mayfield Renovation, Wolsingham, Commendation

Built environment: St Romald's Church, Romaldkirk, Commendation

Built environment: ViewPoint, Consett Business Park, Commendation

Climate change: Peatland Programme, Uplands of County Durham, Award

Climate change: Wear Referrals Veterinary Hospital, Bradbury, Award

Community partnership: Communities Together Achieve More, Newfield and Pelton Lane Ends, Award

Community partnership: Grape Lane, Durham City, Award

Community partnership: Blooming Chester-le-Street, Commendation

Community partnership: Catchgate Neighbourhood Planter Scheme, Commendation

Community partnership: Tanfield in Bloom, Commendation

Craftsmanship: Durham School Chapel Window, Durham City, Award

Craftsmanship: Mayfield Renovation, Wolsingham, Award

Craftsmanship: Restoration of Historical Duck Decoy, Sedgefield, Commendation

Craftsmanship: St Andrew's Church, Winston, Commendation

Greener business: Branding the Message, Durham University, Commendation

Greener business: Special Educational Needs Range, Developed in County Durham, Commendation

Natural environment: Barnard Castle Weir Rebuild, Commendation

Natural environment: Upper Demesnes Hay Meadow, Barnard Castle, Commendation

Natural environment: Woodhouse Community Primary School SUDS Scheme, Bishop Auckland, Commendation

Places and spaces: Horden Denes, Award

Places and spaces: Friends of Miner's Welfare, Chilton, Award

Places and spaces: Boyne Place, Langley Moor, Commendation

Places and spaces: St John's Square, Seaham, Commendation

Schools and colleges: St Anne's Pupil Voice Groups, Bishop Auckland, Award

Schools and colleges: Imagination Creation, Chester-le-Street, Commendation

Schools and colleges: RiverLAB Tees - Tees Rivers Trust, Teesdale, Commendation

Schools and colleges: SHOCflood, County Durham, Commendation

Schools and colleges: St Michael's RC Primary School Vegetable Garden, Esh Village, Commendation

Volunteer group of the year: Our Place, Shotton Colliery, Award

Volunteer of the year - under 18: Dylan Etheridge, Award

Volunteer of the year - over 18: Bob Sorley, Award

Waste management: Green Move Out, Durham City, Award

Waste management: Bin it Right, County Durham, Commendation

Waste management: Operation Stop It, County Durham, Commendation

School Electricity Reduction Award 2015: Blessed John Duckett RCVA Primary, Tow Law, Award