NEWTON Aycliffe’s award-winning town centre is in the running for another award.

Fresh from its success at the British Council of Shopping Centres annual awards, Aycliffe Shopping Centre has been confirmed as a contender in the North-East Renaissance awards.

The awards, organised by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, showcase the most inspirational regional initiatives and developments in land, property, construction and the environment.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Newcastle on Friday, April 24.

Bryan Haldane, Newton Aycliffe town centre manager, said: “The last two years have been very positive for Newton Aycliffe and winning the award was the icing on the cake.

“We are looking forward to another successful year with major works progressing as planned.”

Newton Aycliffe town centre has undergone as dramatic transformation in recent years as part of a multi-million pound revamp.

The aim was to turn it into an open and spacious shopping plaza by removing the unsightly concrete ramp and oppressive shop canopies and installing new seating, planting and paving.

Last month, Freshwater received national recognition for its efforts when it scooped a gold award at the British Council of Shopping Centres annual awards dinner in London.

The final phase of the refurbishment will begin in March, with the demolition of Churchill House and connecting shops.

This will coincide with improvement work at the town’s leisure centre by owners, Durham County Council.