A DISTRICT council is celebrating after it was shortlisted for an environmental award.

Chester-le-Street District Council is among the winners in this year's national Green Apple Awards.

The nomination was based on the work the authority has undertaken on integrating biodiversity into the work of council departments and helping communities to carry out environmental improvements.

The council was helped by James Cokill, from Durham Biodiversity Partnership, and English Nature.

Council leader Councillor Linda Ebbatson and environmental strategy co-ordinator Mike Keenlyside travelled to the House of Commons to collect the trophy.

The council may also be put forward for the European Environment Awards.

Mr Keenlyside said: "This is a fantastic accolade for the council and we owe so much to the enthusiasm of the local community, who have banded together under Chester-le-Street Federation of Environment Groups.

"I now believe that many others can see that biodiversity is not such a fringe aspect anymore.

"People need wildlife and wildlife needs people. We no longer can separate the two."