Two major Cumbrian projects have won regional awards at a virtual ceremony celebrating innovation.

The Institution of Civil Engineers North West was due to hold its event last night but was forced to cancel due to coronavirus.

It decided the show had to go on and held an online ceremony instead to celebrate nine winners across the region.

The £30 million Campus Whitehaven – which created new facilities for St Benedict’s and Mayfield schools – won the Community category.

Its main contractor was Wates Construction and funding came from a partnership of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Sellafield Sites Ltd, Copeland Community Fund and Cumbria County Council.

Thirlmere Aqueduct won the Heritage award.

Emma Antrobus, director of the Institution of Civil Engineers North West, said: “Our annual awards showcase some of the fantastic civil engineering that’s happening across the region.

“It took a bit of organising but we’re so pleased to have been able to go ahead with this year’s awards in a different way, shining a light on some of the most innovative and beneficial civil engineering which has taken place in our region over the past 12 months.

“It is particularly at challenging times like this that we should be championing every individual who keeps our society functioning."