BRIERLEY Hill's Waterfront has won an award for its development and regeneration work.

The Waterways Renaissance Awards 2007 is established by the Waterways Trust and the British Urban Regeneration Association and seeks to recognise and encourage best practice in waterway development in the UK.

Dudley No 1 Canal and the Waterfront won the area-based regeneration category for its restoration and new basin which features canal-user amenities, bars, restaurants and four star hotel.

The award is given to a project which has achieved economic and environmental regeneration.

Brierley's Hill Waterfront project has brought the Dudley No 1 Canal area, which comprises a huge part of the area's history, back to life.

It was built in 1972 to service the mining, glass-cutting and meat product industries.

Since the development of the area, more than 10,000 jobs have been created in service and leisure.

Chief executive of the Waterways Trust, Roger Hanbury, said: "The modern renaissance of our waterways is transforming the environment, creating education and business opportunities, injecting new life into areas and bringing communities together.

"As the winner of the area-based regeneration category, Brierley Hill Waterfront is properly recognised as an exemplar and we hope its success will inspire and encourage others to the same."

John Craven OBE, presenter of BBC1's Countryfile and vice president of the Waterways Trust, presented the award to Brierley Hill Regeneration Partnership at a gala dinner on Wednesday March 21.