A CHURCH centre in Darlington and a doctors' surgery in Gainford are in the running for this year's North-East architecture "Oscars".

The two buildings - St Columba's Church Centre and Gainford Medical Centre - are among 46 entries for the Hadrian Awards.

Entries range from schools and houses to cricket clubs and a water treatment works.

The restoration and extension of the Rest House, in Shildon, is also among the contenders.

The number of entries for the competition is more than double that of the previous awards in 2003.

Graham Bell, director of the North of England Civic Trust and chairman of the Hadrian Awards, said: "The entry level is gratifying. We made it less onerous for architects' practices to enter this year and they have responded positively.

"There is a wide range of building types entered, with projects ranging in value from £13,000 to £40m.

"While almost half the projects are in Newcastle, there is a good geographical spread of entries, from Alnmouth in the north to Gainford in the south, with a number in rural areas."

All the entries are being posted on Northern Architecture's web site, www.northernarchitecture.com, and people can nominate their favourite.

A shortlist will be drawn up at the end of this month and the winners will be announced at the start of Architecture Week, on June 17.