HURWORTH has become the first north-east parish council to be recognised as one of the best in the country.

The council has received the gold award from the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) for demonstrating that it is “at the forefront of best practice and achieves excellence in governance, community leadership and council development.”

Dennis Coates, chairman of the NALC award panel, presented the award to Jean Peacock, chairwoman of Hurworth Parish Council, at the last council meeting (Feb 4).

Hurworth is the only parish council in the north to be recognised with this award and the sixth in the country to receive such an accolade.

The other five recipients are Ampthill in Buckinghamshire, Lydney in Gloucestershire and Danbury, Loughton and Waltham Abbey in Essex.

Margaret Williams, vice chairwoman of the parish council, said: “We are very pleased to have been awarded the gold award for our practices,

“Being one of only six parish councils in the country we are, understandably, very proud and honoured to have achieved and received the award in recognition of our hard work and endeavours.“

Peter Allan, Hurworth parish clerk, said: “As far back as 2010, Hurworth Parish Council made the decision to become pro-active, business orientated, take advantage of the latest technology and display community leadership.

“Now after more than five years, we have achieved the highest award that the National Association of Local Councils defines.

"It has been a pleasure and privilege to work with such a focused and professional team.”