A HEALTHY eating scheme that provides families with cut-price fruit and veg; a project that has breathed new life into a former 'ghost town' in Anfield and a 74-year-old campaigning granddad were among those honoured at a prestigious awards ceremony.

The Strictly Regeneration! Awards were held at the Marriott Hotel in Liverpool.

The Awards were held to celebrate the wide range of work that is going on in the Merseyside area to support the region's renaissance.

Winners ranged from individuals through to health initiatives, housing schemes and neighbourhood wardens.

Rockfield Regeneration Project won the Excellence in Design and Quality Award. The project has helped breathe fresh life into one of the city's most deprived neighbourhoods and led to homes in Tancred Road being occupied for the first time in five years. 11 have now been sold, and the scheme has had a positive effect on the whole area and its long-term sustainability.

The Liverpool Youth Development Programme EARLY has had a huge impact on the lives of young people in Liverpool. Run from Old Swan and Kirkdale Community Fire Stations, it targets those who have a lack of qualifications, criminal convictions, unemployment and other issues. The 12-week course helps them turn their lives around, developing personal skills, confidence, team skills and an increased awareness of their own potential and responsibility in the community. Many have gone on to work, apprenticeships or training as a result. It was the joint winner in the Best Practice in Community Involvement award.

The Bag A Bargain scheme in Wirral was also a winner. The project offers cut-price fruit, veg and salad for sale at convenient locations in targeted neighbourhoods. Produce is delivered to Tranmere, and then on to churches, schools and community centres. The project is run entirely by members of the community - from delivery to distribution. Bag A Bargain offers people who are often on lower incomes the chance to eat healthily for less.

Jack Costello, 74, won the Sefton Champion Award for his tireless efforts on behalf of the community of Queens Bedford in Bootle, where he has lived for his whole life.

The Strictly Regeneration! Awards recognised projects funded by the housing market renewal and neighbourhood renewal funds. Judges included experts in regeneration, as well as representatives from the local community and from the Government Office North West.

Pauline Davis, Managing Director of NewHeartlands, the Merseyside housing market renewal pathfinder, said: "The Awards are a wonderful way of rewarding all of the excellent work that is going on in Merseyside. We were thrilled with both the number and quality of entries, and would like to congratulate all of the winners on their achievement."