SCHOOLS, businesses and individuals have been honoured for their efforts to brighten up their city.

The winners of the annual Beautiful Durham awards were announced during a ceremony at the city’s Town Hall.

Prizes were presented to the winners of the 13 categories, along with the judges’ five discretionary awards for their colourful floral displays and environmental improvements.

Coun Pauline Charlton, chairman of Durham County Council and Mayor of Durham, presented the awards.

She said: "This has been another great year for the Beautiful Durham competition, with residents and businesses producing wonderful floral displays and environmental improvements.

"We have seen some really inspiring entries and it has been a pleasure to present the awards to this year’s winners.

"I would like to thank everyone who took part in the competition and the sponsors who helped to make it such as success."

The winners in the 13 main categories were: · Best business premises – Lambton Arms, Sherburn Village; · Best group horticultural project – Brandon Village Community Garden; · Best sheltered accommodation/warden controlled housing – Camsell Court Garden Club, Durham Moor; · Best kept residential area – Sunderland Bridge Village; · Best floral containers – The Orchards, Brandon; · Best house garden (small) – Embleton brothers, West Rainton; · Best house garden (medium) – Margaret Hands, Framwellgate Moor; · Best house garden (large) – Fred and Bonny Bainbridge, Brancepeth; · Best back yard or patio garden – Diane McQuillan, Esh Winning; · Best allotment or kitchen garden – Alan Ward, Bowburn; · Best small village (population up to 500) – Sunderland Bridge; · Best village (population 500 to 2,000) – High Shincliffe; · Best large village (population over 2,000) – Belmont Parish (Belmont/Carrville) The winners of the five judges’ discretionary awards were: · Alan Siggens Memorial Award for special contribution – Bowburn Care Centre, Bowburn; · City of Durham Trust Award for long term contribution – Salvation Army, Sherburn Hill; · Ralph Metcalfe Memorial Award for the best new entry – Margaret Jefferson, Durham; · Keen to be Green Award for special contribution to sustainable development – Brandon Village Community Garden; · WH Wood Cup for best overall entry – Steve Feather, Durham.

Durham County Council organised the competition, which also contributes towards the city’s entry into the Northumbria in Bloom competition.

Judging took place during July.