
Durham County Council has won four national awards recognising its work to improve the health and wellbeing of residents.
The authority was named Outstanding Organisation of the Year at the UK Active Awards.
The council also picked up awards for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Transformational Innovation and Marketing Campaign.
The success came after the authority was shortlisted in seven categories.
As well as its four wins, Durham County Council was a finalist for Regional Public Club/Centre of the Year (North of England), Workplace and Culture Initiative, Physical Activity Hero and Outstanding Leadership Team.
Cllr Andrew Husband, leader of Durham County Council, said: “We are thrilled to have been recognised not just once, but four times at this year’s ukactive Awards. This includes being chosen, out of all the finalists, as Outstanding Organisation of the Year.
“This year saw almost 200 entries, a record-breaking number, and of those we were the third-most nominated organisation. Last night, we proved our right to be recognised on the national stage by winning the most awards out of every public and private sector body that was shortlisted.
(Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
“This success is a testament to the work we have done in the last year to make sure our residents have access to high-quality facilities and programmes that help them live longer, healthier, more independent lives, whatever their age or ability.
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"I’d like to express my congratulations and a thank you to the teams involved in bringing our leisure services together and helping us deliver an important service to communities.”
The ukactive Awards celebrate organisations and individuals driving innovation and impact in physical activity across the UK.
This year's competition attracted entries from both public and private leisure organisations from across the country.