EXTENSIVE work carried out to revitalise Evesham's waterways has borne fruit after the team behind the work was rewarded for its part in bringing the area to life.

The chairman of the Evesham Market Town Partnership, David Noyes, accepted the Recreation and Tourism award at the 2006 Waterways Renaissance Awards, staged last Wednesday.

The event was held at Madame Tussauds in London and the award was presented by the BBC's John Craven, who is also vice-president of The Waterways Trust.

The redevelopment work included a project to utilise Evesham's waterways as a recreational and visitor resource. In addition to the first award, the team were also commended in the area-based regeneration category and the partnership category.

Rediscovering Evesham's River Heritage, an initiative supported by Advantage West Midlands, aims to put the riverside back into the heart of the town.