A CALENDAR depicting Durham landmarks has won an award.

Images of Durham, featuring black-and-white photographs by Durham-based Royston Thomas has been recognised in this year's National Business Calendar Awards.

The calendar, which was commissioned by Durham City Council, was only beaten in its category by the world-famous Pirelli design.

Aimed at providing a memorable illustration of the city's most historic and dramatic images, it is the only one by a local authority to win an award.

The calendar has attracted praise from council contacts throughout the world who have received it.

Travel writer Bill Bryson was delighted with his. He said: "A million thanks for the calendar, as always, which I am delighted to receive."

John Jennings, the council's director of environmental services, said: "We are delighted that the extraordinary quality of Royston's work has been recognised by the National Business Calendar Awards.

"It needs Royston's remarkable eye to capture the unique charm of Durham City year after year in timeless, stunning images.

"His work offers us a distinctive way in which to give people a glimpse of Durham's treasure trove of architectural gems, which draw over a million visitors to our city each year."

The award was presented to Mr Thomas and Martin Boulton, of Durham City Council, in a ceremony at London College of Printing.

The winning calendar is on display at the college, and will tour the country later this year.