THE 25th Durham Environment Awards will be launched today to "reward great design, environmental guardianship and community spirit" in the county.

Last year, the top awards went to the Durham Gateway project and the rejuvenation of Seaham Harbour Marina, which were both judged to be "outstanding", although community groups, volunteers and schoolchildren also shared the limelight for the contribution they make to improving the environment.

Among the winners were landscaping schemes in Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle, and among the volunteers who won were those who've given up their time to restore the George Elmy lifeboat at Seaham and Stan Pinkney, who has dedicated years to the Durham Voluntary Countryside Ranger Service.

Two schools won £100 prizes as well as awards. Edmondsley Primary School won in the climate change category for its commitment to making green issues an integral part of school life, and Belmont school won for its Wow project, which encourages pupils to walk to class.

But the big winners were Durham University's controversial Gateway development, which has won many environmental awards but also earned criticism for its modern architecture, and the multi-million pound regeneration of Seaham Harbour Marina including the creation of new waterfront retail units and the restoration of the once-derelict lifeboat centre.

Mark Dowdall, from Banks Group, who is a member of the judging panel, said: "Durham University's science site has incorporated sustainable principles throughout its design and development and these principles are now a benchmark for future developments within the university.

"The development of Seaham Harbour Marina has integrated modern sustainable facilities into the existing historic features of the harbour to create a new commercial and leisure environment."

Since the awards, which are supported by The Northern Echo, began in 1989, more than 800 projects have either won an award or been commended, and today the search begins for this year's winners.

If you know of a project, a volunteer or an organisation which deserves to be nominated, go to www.countydurhampartnership.co.uk/envawards or call 03000 265 545.

The 2014 categories

Built environment

Climate change

Community partnership

Craftsmanship

Greener business

Natural environment

Places and spaces

Schools and colleges

Volunteer group of the year

Volunteer of the year (under 18)

Volunteer of the year (over 18)

Waste management

The 2013 winners

BUILT ENVIRONMENT:

Awards: Scargill Castle; Bishop Auckland Urban Renaissance.

Commendations: Farrell House, Spennymoor; Castle and Scar Top Landscape Improvements.

CLIMATE CHANGE:

Awards: Durham County Council's Beer project; Renewable Spectrum Gym, Willington; Edmondsley Primary School.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP:

Commendations: Cultivate 4 Life project; Eddy People Project; Hand On Cree Project; We Are The World, Spennymoor; Lanchester Village Green improvements; Stobillee Wetlands, Langley Park;

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT:

Award: Heart of Durham project.

Commendations: Durham University's Biophilia project; Cong Burn Wood and Water Quality Improvements; Daisy Hill Local Nature Reserve; Pelton Fell Reedbeds, commendation.

SCHOOL:

Awards: Belmont Junior School; Yohden School Ground Improvements; Shotley Bridge Junior School.

GROUP VOLUNTEER:

Award: East Durham Heritage Group.

Commendations: County Durham Residents' Association; Sherburn Way Railway Community Project; Waldridge Volunteers.

VOLUNTEER OVER 18:

Award: Isabelle Roberts; Stan Pinkney.

Commendation: Ian Brown.

VOLUNTEER UNDER 18:

Commendations: Sky Rainforest Rescue Schools Challenge.

OUTSTANDING AWARDS

Seaham Marina; Durham Gateway