VILLAGERS who have done their bit to promote community life have been rewarded in a competition.

The village of Shadforth, near Durham City, was named winner of the 2005 Durham Building Community Life awards, announced at Locomotion, in Shildon, with Waterhouses named as runner-up.

The awards, organised by Durham Rural Community Council (DRCC), were launched in June, with financial support from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and gas supplier Calor.

Villages were judged on criteria including the amount of support the village offered for people in need, and the range of activities taking place in the village hall.

Chris O'Bee, of Calor, presented Shadforth with the £500 top prize and framed certificates in recognition of their success.

Sara Jane Stobbs, of the DRCC, said: "The entries from both Shadforth and Waterhouses were of an extremely high standard and the judges had a very difficult time selecting which of the two villages should be declared the winner.

"However, Shadforth had that extra something to just pip Waterhouses to the post and win the £500 prize money.

"I would like to congratulate both villages on their success and also thank the other villages that took the time to enter the Building Community Life competition this year."