THE high standards employed to run a village community centre have been recognised with an award.

The Community Centre at Middleton St George, near Darlington, has been presented with “The Hallmark Award” by Rita Lawson, chief executive of the Tees Valley Rural Community Council.

The award was received by Melissa Lane, chair of Middleton St George Community Centre, at the annual general meeting of the Tees Valley Village Halls Network.

Mrs Lawson said: “The award is extremely well deserved, and recognises the contribution made to the Middleton St George community by the community centre, and the work, effort and commitment put into the management and organisation of the centre by Melissa and her team.”

The Hallmark Award is a quality kitemark, and is awarded to halls and community centres in recognition of the high standards achieved in the management, organisation and running of a hall.

It is supported by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) – the national voice for the community support agencies which make up the country’s largest rural network.