CHRISTMAS has come early for a North-East shopping centre after it won a top award for its work on a festive choir event.

The Cornmill Centre, in Darlington, held its ‘Cornmill Chorus’ competition in November and December, which saw community choir groups from the area battle it out to win £1,000.

The event was recently shortlisted in the event category at the Purple Apple awards, and won a Purple Apple Merit at an award ceremony in London last week.

The annual accolades, run by the British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC), recognise and reward effective shopping and town centre marketing within the UK retail property sector.

Centre manager Susan Young said: “We are absolutely over the moon to receive a Purple Apple Merit for Cornmill’s Chorus.

“As the pinnacle awards platform for our industry, it really is an honour to secure such a high profile award and to be judged alongside some of the UK’s largest and most frequented shopping venues.

“The award is a true testament to the hard work of everyone involved in Cornmill’s Chorus and in particular the choirs who got involved and made it such a magical event.

“The event not only met but exceeded the objectives set out in the planning stages and we’re excited to be launching our second run of the competition very soon.”