Orkney Islands Council has been recognised at the National Planning Awards.

The local authority was named the overall winner across all categories for its 'Team Stromness' project during the event in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 08 November.

The scheme involves carrying out several distinct regeneration projects in the historic area of the town, such as:

• Repaving the main street in Stromness in local stone

• Construction of the landmark Warehouse Building

• Paving and redevelopment of the wider pierhead area

• Grants for private householders and businesses to help traditional repairs and refurbishment through the Stromness THI

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• Redevelopment by the Council of the Commercial Hotel through the Stromness THI.

In their feedback, awards judges said: "(Team Stromness) was an exemplary Urban Design Framework delivering on the ground. The Council's passion to see Stromness modernise whilst maintaining its historical elegance was to be congratulated."

Council Leader James Stockan said: "This accolade is just reward for the huge coordinated effort that went into rejuvenating and regenerating our much loved town – in a way which built on the history and spirit of Stromness as a thriving economic and cultural hub.

"There are even more exciting times ahead for Stromness as we see further investment come to fruition including the multi-million pound Orkney Research and Innovation Campus project and a new care home for our oldest townsfolk."

(LM/JP)