CATERING services at a North-East hospital have won a national health award for the second successive year.

The service run by Haden Building Management at the University Hospital of North Durham has won the Heartbeat Award - a national scheme presented to caterers who meet standards on food hygiene, non-smoking areas and healthy eating choices.

The national award was presented by Dr Tricia Cresswell, director of public health for Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust.

Dr Cresswell said: "Heart disease is the biggest killer in our community.

"Caterers in the area can help tackle this by offering healthy choices to their customers and by providing non-smoking areas."