AN arts project in the North-East has won a top global award.

The Cultural Spring, an Arts Council England funded project working to increase participation in the arts on Wearside and South Tyneside, beat off stiff competition from projects around the world to win a category in the prestigious Leading Cultural Destinations (LCD) Awards.

The popular project was up against initiatives from London, Christchurch in New Zealand and a European wide project in the awards’ Soft Power Destinations Cultural Activation category.

Cultural Spring Director Emma Horsman picked up the award at a ceremony in The Langham Hotel in London on Saturday.

She said: “We were really excited to be shortlisted in the awards, and honoured to be in such company. But to actually win was amazing.

“We’ve worked hard in our wards to reach people, estates and communities who don’t have a history of engaging in the arts.

“Winning awards gives us the confidence to believe we’re on the right track and that our work in Sunderland and South Tyneside is being recognised outside of the boroughs.”

The LCD Awards are referred to as ‘the Oscars’ for museums and cultural destinations.

Award winners were chosen by a jury of 11 established cultural experts from around the world.