A DELIGHTED community has celebrated success in The Northern Echo's environmental competition.

North-East environmentalist Professor David Bellamy presented the Making A Difference first prize to volunteers who have transformed allotments in Willington, County Durham.

Also honoured were runners-up Summerhill (Hartlepool) Bird Club, for encouraging birdwatching among visitors to the Summerhill open space in the town, and Bowes Hutchinson's Church of England Aided School, from Bowes village in County Durham, for creating a wildlife-friendly secret garden.

Making A Difference pays tribute to volunteers working to improve their local environment, and sponsor One NorthEast, the regional development agency, has confirmed that it will back the competition again in 2002, the fourth year running.

The presentation took place at Willington Workingmen's Club, a short distance from the area that has been transformed by the Rosedale and Victoria Allotments Association since 1999.

Association members have brought the 100-year-old site back to life. They have restored allotments, created wildlife areas and worked on initiatives to involve local schoolchildren and elderly people.

Prof Bellamy said communities were increasingly involving themselves in their environment.

"These awards are about community. There is a renaissance going on. Things are happening all across the world," he said.

Prof Bellamy also formally opened the Willington allotments and donated books to the winners.

Colin Tapping, deputy editor of The Northern Echo, said: "Every one of these entries shows us that not all is doom and gloom in the world. There are happy and good stories in all the entries."

Phil Hughes, board member for One NorthEast, said: "We are happy to announce our continued sponsorship.

"The environment is up there alongside the economy in terms of importance and projects like these bring people together and teach them new skills."

The winners received £500 from The Northern Echo and One NorthEast, as well as a wooden bowl created by North Pennines woodcarver Philip Bastow.

Paul Goundry, chairman of the allotments association, said: "We are absolutely delighted. It is a testament to the way people have pulled together and turned things around."

The runners-up received gift vouchers.

Kevin Spindloe, chairman of the Summerhill club, said: "We are very pleased to be runners-up, it is much better than we anticipated when we set out."

Cliff Brown, a parent at the Bowes school, said: "Our project has exceeded all our expectations. Everyone has worked together and the kids have really taken to it.