A project aimed at regenerating Runcorn Town Centre with new cultural, business, housing and youth opportunities has won an award.

Reconnecting Runcorn combines a range of schemes which were granted £23.6m through the  government's Towns Fund.

It includes work to revitalise the town centre's waterways, establish skills and innovation centre, refurbish The Brindley, build town centre homes and provide a new youth space and health hub.

It has now been recognised with the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) shaping places for people award. The category specifically celebrates collaboration for work that 'improve outcomes for people of diverse backgrounds and social groups across the preventative health and social care agendas'.

Judges gave the project credit for 'great collaboration, engaging the youth sector and using culture to drive economic activity'.

Damian Cooke, director of economy, enterprise and property at Halton Borough Council, said: "We’re delighted that Reconnecting Runcorn has been recognised for its project aims to drive sustainable long term economic and productivity growth and will include enhanced transport links, housing and environmental improvement as well as upgraded visitor attractions."

The programme, led by Halton Borough Council, involves collaboration with organisations such as the  local NHS Trust, Riverside College, Halton Housing, Runcorn Locks Restoration Society, Hazlehurst Creative Studios, Wat Phra Singh Buddhist Temple, Power in Partnership, Mako Create and A Place for Us.

Mr Cooke added: "We’re proud of our internal collaboration, community engagement and our partners who are actively invested in the programme and helping to drive it forward; many are also providing match funding."

ADEPT President, Anthony Payne, added: “Creating resilient places was the theme of our event and the complexities of this bold and exciting goal are ones we can only tackle with innovation and collaboration."