A COUNTRY park in Hartlepool has scooped an award for its facilities and staff.

Summerhill, a 100-acre site on the western edge of the town, has been accredited as a quality assured visitor attraction by the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS).

This follows a mystery shopper-style assessment by a VAQAS representative, who rang up Summerhill, visited the website and then made an unannounced visit.

The site is being developed by Hartlepool Borough Council for a range of sports, outdoor pursuits and conservation and attracts up to 50,000 visitors every year.

Summerhill manager Tony Davison said: "We have an excellent team of staff and a range of high-quality facilities, and this award reflects that. We set ourselves high standards, and this award highlights the quality of the service that we guarantee all visitors."

A range of facilities, including a purpose-built visitor centre, children's play areas, a BSX/BMX cycling course, a climbing park and an orienteering course, has been built at Summerhill - developed since 1997 from network of fields used for livestock and arable farming.

Since then, more than 90,000 trees and hedges have been planted, new wetland areas created and wildflower meadows developed to create new habitats and encourage wildlife.