BUILDING projects throughout the region have made it to the final of an award scheme run by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Eight projects from County Durham and Darlington are among 26 from across the region that will compete at the institution's North-East Renaissance Awards, in Newcastle Civic Centre, on April 27.

There are eight categories -building conservation, regeneration, sustainability, community benefit, commercial, residential, tourism and leisure and innovation and design.

The Durham entries are: restoration of the Rest House Pavilion, Shildon; the Community Village, West Park, Darlington; Net Park Institute, Sedgefield; The Rivergreen Centre, Aykley Heads; Novus Business Centre, Peterlee; the Coleridge Centre, Darlington; Darlington College; and the Masonic Hall at Beamish.

The judging panel of property experts across the region announced the shortlist of contenders after weeks of deliberations.

They looked at a range of projects, some costing many millions of pounds and others that have been achieved with budgets of only a few thousand.

They include Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, Echo 24, the riverside apartment block in Sunderland, and the Regional Hub at Gateshead's International Stadium.

Jennifer Welch, the regional operations director of the institution, said: "The awards attracted a record entry this year and reflect the rich diversity of work being carried out within the region.

"Over 25 first-class projects have made it to the shortlist; some are in more than once in different categories.

"As well as major residential projects, there are finalists from the education sector, the health sector, the public sector and massive out-of-town private sector business developments."

She added: "We also have smaller, more unusual projects such as the Alston Arches, Beamish Museum's Masonic Lodge and the new ferry pontoon at North Shields.

"It all means we are in for a varied and exciting evening that will feature the best in North-East property and construction."