THIS year's variety of entries for a biennial award scheme to improve a town's environment has led to the "unusual" decision to make two schemes joint winners.

The Stourport Civic Society Award, open to architectural, conservation or landscaping projects in the town of any size, recognised two "special" contributions and one "notable" contribution this year.

The five entries were judged by a professional architect and conservationist as well as the society's chairman Pauline Annis, with the Black Star pub on Mitton Street and the Lock Shop & Tea Rooms on York Street both sharing top spot while the Villeneuve-le-Roi Garden was runner-up.

Jill Fairbrother-Millis, the society's secretary, explained: "The Black Star really made an architectural statement. The Lock Shop is very different - the owner has opened up the whole of a listed building to the public.

"We couldn't decide between them which merited the single award."

She added the gardens were recognised because they were a "community-based project" that improved the look of an entrance to the town.

Both winners will receive a plaque to be displayed outside their properties while the runner-up gets a certificate - all presented on Thursday, April 25 at Stourport Social Day Centre.

Carol Graham and her husband Ian worked seven days-a-week for six weeks to transform the Lock Shop after they bought the "dilapidated" grocery shop last June.

"It's a Grade II listed building but it had been left to deteriorate quite badly," she said.

The big transformation has been converting three previously residential rooms of the single-storey building into tea rooms - while still retaining space for living in and keeping a grocery shop - and opening up a canal-side terrace.

Mrs Graham, 42, added: "It made commercial sense to use every single room to its maximum potential. I was nominated by one of our regular customers. I'm very pleased, very surprised and very honoured by the award."