A LEADING environmental project has won another national award in recognition of its highly successful coastal clean-up venture.

Turning the Tide has been presented with the Green Apple award for Environmental Best Practice for its scheme to transform the country's most neglected coastline.

More than 11 miles of polluted County Durham beaches were cleaned by the Turning the Tide partnership, which was supported by National Lottery funding from the Millennium Commission.

As a result of the £10m project, much of the east Durham coastline has been designated a Heritage Coast by the Countryside Agency.

The chairman of the Turning the Tide Partnership, David Miller, said: "The partnership has achieved so much over the past five years, and I hope that others will learn from our experience and follow our lead to benefit the environment."