NEWLY-opened Cennick Court in Leominster, won the runners up award in a national awards scheme for new housing.

The Marches Housing Association development in South Street, Leominster, came joint second in the National Home Improvement Council Awards in the Best Renovation of an Existing Property category.

The £600,000 scheme was built in partnership with the Moravian Church, which gained a rescued and refurbished church hall out of the deal - the old hall was collapsing. The development also provided seven new flats for local people

Chris Boote, Marches director of operations, said: " We only lost out on the top award to an excellent scheme in Cornwall. We're immensely proud of the scheme and delighted that our new tenants share that pride. We have been able to respond to the problems the Moravian Church had with what had become an eyesore that was literally collapsing."

The award was presented at a London ceremony by Nigel Griffiths MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Construction, Small Business and Enterprise.