A FAMILY inspired by their son to develop disabled-friendly holiday cottages have received a special award.

For Mellwaters Barn, near Bowes, County Durham, was shortlisted for the finals of the North-East Building of the Year - only to be beaten by the prestigious £70m Sage in Gateshead in the Tourism and Leisure category.

However, it did receive a special commendation by the judges in the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors awards.

The former barn was converted into five holiday cottages by the Tavener family and is suitable for both severely disabled or able-bodied guests.

Phillip Tavener said: "The idea came about when we bought the farm in 2002. We had this barn which was almost in danger of imminent collapse and our son, Andrew, came up with the idea of holiday accommodation for the disabled.

"Andrew has cerebral palsy and we have had a lot of problems finding holiday accommodation in the UK and in Europe.

"The whole thing is designed to look like a normal building. Because it's far larger than a normal cottage, we've been able to improve upon some building regulations regarding disabled access and offer more space where we thought it was needed."

David Coulson, from Broadley and Coulson chartered surveyors, based in Crook, nominated the project. He said: "I was on the farm when I saw what they were doing to the barn and thought it was a great project.

"I was over the moon when they won the special award. There are a lot of holiday cottages and barns in the North-East but none like this one."

For further details about the cottages, call (01833) 628181.