Ref. 26240-8aSWINDON could be in line for major Civic Trust Awards.

The search is on for suitable entries to be put forward for the Trust's 2005 architecture and design awards covering the countryside and towns across the United Kingdom.

Civic Trust Awards Manager Vivienne Newlands said: " For the first time all projects entered must include details of their sustainability credentials.

"Architecture for architecture's sake won't win an award and good design isn't enough either.

"Judges also look at the benefit each project brings to its local area and community.

"Each year the evidence of quality, considerate, appropriate projects is excellent and this year we're taking it one step further by making sustainability statements essential for every entry."

Entries are being invited from schemes of all types and sizes which have been or will be completed between January 1, 2002, and September 30, 2004.

New buildings, restorations, landscape design, town centre improvements and public art are all eligible to enter and the closing date for entries is September 17.

Martha Parry of the Swindon Civic Trust said: "We will be encouraging people to enter.

"We would like to hear from anyone who is proud of anything they have constructed in the last two years and will be encouraging them to go for an award."

Eligible landmarks would include the Orbital Retail Park and the Jubilee Clock in the Parade.

The Civic Trust is an independent, national charity which was founded in 1957.

Its aims include working with people to promote thriving towns and villages, and developing partnerships between communities, government and business to deliver regeneration and local improvement.

It is the umbrella organisation for 850 civic societies across the country, representing over 250,000 individuals committed to improving and caring for places where people live and work.

The Civic Trust Awards scheme, which began in 1959, is one of the largest and most respected architecture and environmental design award schemes in Europe.

The awards celebrate not only design excellence, but also the relationship between buildings, the environment and community in which they are set.

Martin Vincent