NEW College Durham has won an award for the quality of its management tuition and student assessment.

The college is one of only three of the Institute of Management's 263 accredited centres nationwide to receive the institute's Centre of Excellence award.

The college scored highly on nine sets of criteria, including effective communications, quality, programme relevance and mentor support.

It was nominated by an institute programme director and two management students, and was judged by a panel of experts including the centre's external verifier.

Glyn Macken, director of management development at the Institute of Management, said: "The award honours exceptional centres who are committed to developing management excellence in the United Kingdom.

"New College Durham has excelled in achieving this award.''

The college's assistant principal, Dr Mike Wood, said: "We are delighted with the award, which recognises the achievements of our students in their own development and the huge contribution made by local employers to support continuing education.

"We are pleased to be seen as at the forefront of management training.''

The college, which holds the Centre of Excellence award for three years, was given a specially commissioned plaque.