AN employment project in Stockton has become one of the first to receive a government award.

The Into Work project has been awarded the Guidance Accreditation Board's Matrix Quality Standard for Information Advice and Guidance Service.

The project is managed by the Forge Community Resource Centre and reports to the St Ann Partnership board.

It is funded by both the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the Single Regeneration Budget.

The project held an award ceremony yesterday during which Brian Maiden, project manager for the Into Work project, received the award from David Coleman, the St Ann's Partnership chairman.

An open day was held to make the project more accessible to the public, as well as forging new links with local businesses and representatives from local communities.

Mr Maiden said: "The Matrix Standard is all about enabling individuals to make informed choices about their own learning and development.

"Getting the standard means we can feel confident we are achieving best practice in this vital area."