A £10M project to regenerate a former industrial area has won the top honour in an environmental awards scheme.

The Seaham Regeneration Scheme received a Golden Apple in the Green Apple Environment Awards.

Now in their ninth year, the awards are major recognition for environmental endeavour among companies, councils and communities across the country.

This year, they attracted a record 311 nominations.

The Seaham Regeneration Scheme involved reclaiming land previously used as a gas, chemical and bottle works, relocating the Seaham Harbour Dock Company, building, creating a link road between the town centre and the A19, and carrying out coastal defence.

A partnership project, it was funded by Durham County Council, One NorthEast, the European Community's Regional Development Fund, Easington District Council and the Government.

The county council, which managed the project and designed and supervised key aspects of it, worked closely with contractor Birse Civils to ensure that the environment was given a high priority.

They developed designs and made sure they were implemented in an environmentally-friendly way, retained bulk materials on site wherever possible and disposed of only the most heavily contaminated materials off-site, adopted a bridge design with minimal use of concrete and steel, used quieter road surfacing, tried to reduce car use, and imported rock armour by sea to reduce road use.

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

Councillor Ken Manton, the county council leader, said: "With the closure of the mines, the need to create jobs was a high priority.

"The reclamation work, new town centre link, dock relocation and related developments in the town centre are a flagship for east Durham.

"Winning the top Golden Apple prize is the icing on the cake."

Following the demolition of the dock company warehouses in the town centre, One NorthEast will be able to undertake a comprehensive regeneration scheme.

In addition to the Golden Apple, Durham County Council also won a Green Apple Award for a Building In Sustainability document, which it took the lead in producing.

The document is a guide to sustainable development and was highlighted at the World Summit in August