A NEW primary school in Worcester has scooped this year's City Award in recognition of its significant contribution to the environmental improvement of the city.

Red Hill Primary School, designed by Worcestershire County Council's architects and engineers, has been hailed as a flagship in design for new education establishments and earlier this year won the Green Apple Award for the Built Environment.

The London Road school is located in a constricted site, has complex level changes and existing features to work within and replaced a series of decrepit pre-fabricated buildings.

Speaking on behalf of the judges, the city council's planning manager Paul O'Connor said: "The council appreciates the contribution made to the city by enhancements to our physical surroundings and so our aim in presenting civic awards is to inspire further schemes of the highest possible standard.

"The school displays all of these criteria and is a credit to everyone involved in its construction."

Seven projects were nominated for this year's Civic Award, now in its 27th year. They were judged on a range of criteria including the detail design, craftsmanship and choice of materials.

Red Hill Primary School is packed with environmental features, including a ground source heating system and rainwater recycling system.