A SOCIAL landlord has recognised the kind-heartedness and selflessness of its tenants.

Cestria Community Housing, based in Chester-le-Street, held its annual Neighbourhood Awards at Durham County Cricket Club.

Brian and Norma Atkinson, of Perkinsville, won the Good Neighbour Award for helping a close friend and neighbour who lost her husband.

The couple have done things including gardening, colleting the newspaper, baking and providing hot meals.

Owen Pendlington, of Wynyard, Chester-le-Street, won the Young Persons Award.

The 15-year-old has helped raise more than £1,000 for the Sunderland Foundation of Light’s Kickz project and is starting a local youth forum.

He has also helped a project that teaches older people how to use the internet and social media and has been described as an inspiration.

The Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award was presented to Ivan Scott of Edmondsley, for his tireless work to improve the environment .

He recently started the Edmondsley Young Gardeners Club and has transformed an allotment by creating a vegetable plot and a pets corner where rabbits, budgies and chickens are kept.

The Lambourne Community and Residents Association in Bournmoor won the Community Group Award for transforming their communal room and organising activities and raising money for charity.

Cragside, Chester-le-Street, tenant Pam Collison won the Getting Involved Award for her dedication and commitment in helping many disabled groups and organising activities at her local communal room .

Cestria chairman David Butler said: “They are the unsung heroes of our communities".