THE £10m regeneration of a former industrial area has received the top honour in an environmental awards scheme.

Durham County Council chairman Charlie Magee yesterday received the Golden Apple in the Green Apple Environment Awards for the Seaham Regeneration Scheme.

The scheme reclaimed land that had been the site of a gas, chemical and bottle works, relocated the Seaham Harbour Dock Company building, built a road between the town centre and the A19, and improved coastal defences.

It was funded by the county council, regional development agency One NorthEast, the European Community's Regional Development Fund, Easington District Council and the Government.

The county council managed the scheme and worked closely with contractor Birse Civils to ensure the environment was given a high priority.

This required that designs were implemented in an environmentally-friendly way, bulk materials were kept on site when possible and only the most heavily contaminated materials were disposed of off site.

Other measures included designing a bridge with the minimal amount of concrete and steel, using quieter road surfaces, reducing car use and importing rock armour by sea rather than by road.

Coastal works have also been built to protect the cliffs and the development.

Council leader Ken Manton said job creation was a high priority after mines in the area closed and added: "Winning the top Golden Apple prize is the icing on the cake."