Work to transform a Norfolk gravel quarry into a country park and nature reserve have been recognised at the eastern England property 'Oscars'.

The restoration of Whitlingham quarry by Lafarge Aggregates and Concrete UK made the finals of the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) East of England awards 2012.

Listed in the Community Benefit category the scheme near Norwich narrowly missed out on the top award to the Norwich OPEN Youth Centre project.

Dave McCabe, from Lafarge, said: 'The RICS awards are extremely prestigious and to reach the regional finals is a fantastic achievement in itself.

'We are very proud of our restoration work at Whitlingham which has transformed former sand and gravel workings into a country leisure and water sports park and nature reserve visited by thousands of people each year.'