ARTWORK created to brighten up a Chester-le-Street construction site has won a national award.

Residents and pupils of Nettlesworth Primary School have designed hoardings to go around The Elms site in Moorfoot Avenue, where Cestria Community Housing is building a new-style residential complex for the over-55s.

The designs impressed company bosses so much that builder Keepmoat entered them into the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s (CCS) Ivor Goodsite Community Hoarding Competition.

The designs, which are on an environmental theme, are one of five winners of the national awards.

Local community groups that worked on the project included the Crazy for Art group, the Brockwell Centre at Pelton Fell and the Society of Disabled Artists (SODA).

Lisa Coverdale, Cestria’s customer relationship manager, said: “This initiative has helped to break down some of the barriers which can sometimes build up between local communities and developers. It’s been an opportunity for people to see the lengths we go to ensure building work doesn’t have a negative impact on them and we are thrilled to have won this national competition.”

Edward Hardy, chief executive of the CCS, said: “The standard was extremely high this year and we were delighted that so many schools, children and organisations participated so enthusiastically.

“As well as being a great opportunity to promote site safety, it’s also about encouraging the next generation to become interested in construction."