Several local projects have been shortlisted for the annual LOVE Northumberland Awards, which celebrate everything that is great about community environmental work in the county.

The winners are due to be announced tonight at the Alnwick Garden, with the presentations being made by the Duchess of Northumberland to schools, community groups and individuals who will be rewarded for their efforts in keeping the environment in Northumberland clean and green.

Two local schools are in line for awards – Mickley First School for the Schools Go Smarter Sustainable Travel award and Prudhoe High School’s Prudhoe Proud Hill Project Group, which has been shortlisted for the Best Young People’s Project award.

Kielder Water Vole Partnership’s Restoring Ratty project and the Spetchells Conservation Interest Group, Spetchells Habitat Rescue, have been recognised under Best Coast and Countryside Project category. And three schemes are in the running for a Best New Project award – the Friends of Eastwood Park for the Miners Lamp Community Cafe and Hub; Heddon Branches for its Victrix tree sculpture and the Tyne Rivers Trust for its My Tyne: Adopt a Stream initiative.

Twenty-four organisations and individuals have been shortlisted in seven award categories in what is the 10th year for the awards.

Councillor Glen Sanderson, cabinet member for local services and the environment at Northumberland County Council said: “These awards enable the council to highlight the fantastic work done by community groups, schools and individuals right across Northumberland each year. As always, we had many very high quality entries and shortlisting and judging were difficult jobs.”