A COUNCIL is in line for a second national award, recognising its use of computer technology.

Derwentside District Council's business support unit has been nominated for the Government's Beacon status for supporting new businesses.

Peter McDowell, the unit's development manager, said: "We are delighted to be shortlisted and are going to give it a real go."

His team attracted the attention of the judges for schemes such as the Emerge project, which provides support, advice and training for new internet businesses.

The council also spent £1.6m on a new E-Business Centre, on Consett Business Park, which this year won a bronze award in the Community Benefit category of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors' North-East Renaissance Awards.

Mr McDowell's team has recently introduced a "hot desk" at the centre, which is office space that is time-shared by several growing firms.

"It is a step up from running a business in your conservatory or bedroom, but still a step away from taking on a small commercial office," he said.

Derwentside is the only council in the North-East to be shortlisted in the business support category and is one of only seven nationally.

Last spring, the council won Beacon status for using information technology to tackle social inclusion.

Councillor David Llewellyn, the council's economy portfolio holder, said: "The creation of a high value, knowledge-based economy is tantamount to our business support strategy, where we have the benefit of a flexible and highly trained team of officers.

"Our aims are two-fold - in supporting the growth and competitiveness of existing companies as well as encouraging entrepreneurial activity with new business start-ups."

A team of judges from the advisory panel on Beacon Councils will visit Consett Civic Centre next week for the next round of the selection process.

A total of 210 local authorities from across the UK have applied for the award and 83 made it through the first round. The winners will be announced in April 2005.