A £1M affordable housing project in Barnard Castle has won praise from the Government for the environmentally-friendly way in which they were built.

The development of ten, two-bedroomed apartments, in Tannery Lane off Birch Road, has recently been completed and the houses are expected to be occupied at the end of this month.

Each home has been built using a timber frame and modern methods of construction.

The timber frames are durable and environmentally friendly, and also provide increased insulation, which results in lower energy costs.

Each apartment complies with the Government's Ecohomes Agenda, which encourages developers to improve the environmental performance of new developments.

David Brown, senior development manager at Three Rivers Housing Group, said, "This is a superb new development that blends the use of modern technology with the traditional appeal of natural stone and slate.

"It is a credit to every member of the team involved, showing what can be achieved through working in partnership."

John Carleton, the Housing Corporation's field director for the North, said: "In partnership with the Housing Corporation, Three Rivers Housing Association has done an excellent job in delivering this development in Barnard Castle."