AMBULANCE crews from County Durham have been presented with long-service awards.

Staff from ambulance stations in Durham wereamong colleagues from Darlington, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland honoured at a ceremony which was held at Gateshead Civic Centre.

Nigel Sherlock, Lord Lieutenant for the County of Tyne and Wear presented the Durham officers with the Ambulance Service (Emergency Duties) Long Service and Good Conduct Medals.

County Durham staff who received awards included planning manager Leslie Mullen from Chester-le-Street, paramedic Alan Thompson from Crook, paramedic Paul Scott from Durham, ambulance technician Alan Thompson from Stanley and ambulance technician John Gowland from Crook.