Teachers, teaching assistants and schools were honoured for their work at the borough council's first children's services awards evening last night.

The award ceremony was staged at the St George Hotel, near Durham Tees Valley Airport.

Nominations were made by schools - apart from the best practice awards and those for most community-focused school, the awards for excellence and most inclusive school, which were chosen by council judges.

Last year, the council's education department presented the awards, but that has been merged with social services to create the children's services section.

Councillor Chris McEwan, the council's cabinet member for children's services, presented the awards.

He said: "This is a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the hard work, commitment and achievement of the staff in all our schools."

The award winners were:

* Teacher of the Year (Primary) - Lisa Bainbridge, Heathfield Primary

* Teacher of the Year (Secondary) - Michael McMonigle, Hurworth School

* Teaching Assistant of the Year - Carol Watson, Heathfield Primary

* Support Staff of the Year - Lyn Blewit, Abbey Junior School

* Governor of the Year - Bob Carnell, Beaumont Hill Technical College

* Most Inclusive School - Heathfield Primary

* Most Community Focused School - Skerne Park Primary

* Award for Excellence in Performance (Secondary) - Hurworth School

* Award for Excellence in Performance (Primary) - St John's Primary

* School Councillor of the Year - Ashleigh Trevarrow, Branksome School

* Best Practice Award for Cultural Diversity - Branksome School

* Best Practice Award for Looked After Children - Hummersknott School and Language College

* Best Practice Award for Traveller Pupils - Dodmire Infant and Nursery School; Dodmire Junior School; St Teresa's Roman Catholic School; North Road Primary School.