ARCHITECTS in Worcester have drawn a blank for the second year running after no extra special developments were recognised with a City of Worcester Award.

The accolade rewards designs, buildings and projects that have made a significant contribution to the environmental improvement of the city, or have contributed to the quality of Worcester.

For the second year running, no plans were deemed good enough for an award, though five were this year put forward for commendations.

These were:

l The Pump House Environmental Centre, Waterworks Road.

l Acorn's Children's Hospice, Bath Road.

l The St Nicholas Street Royal British Legion building.

l Perdiswell Skate Park.

l Spring Lane Housing development, off Stanley Road.

Councillor Robert Rowden, leader of the city council's planning committee and one of the panel of judges, said: "There were no awards this year or last year.

"The feeling is that merely putting up something really good is what people should be doing. Only something extra special should get an award."

Councillors agreed the five commendations at the planning committee meeting on Thursday.