THREE landmark building projects in a historic city all won prestigious awards at a ceremony last night.

City of York Council is today celebrating a hat trick of success as three council-backed projects were awarded prizes for architecture and environmental design at the Civic Trust Awards.

York's £4.2m Millennium Bridge, the church conversion Early Music Centre at Walmgate and the ground-breaking Popular Gardens affordable homes' development at Tang Hall all scooped an award.

Tony Dennis, the council's head of environment and conservation, said the successes of the three projects reflect a major contribution to improving people's quality of life in the city, together with good design.

In 2001, two other landmark buildings in the city were recognised by the civic Trust with an award. The £5m riverside City Screen cinema complex and the retail development at Davygate both scooped prizes.