PROUD Nailsea residents have used people power to bag an historic building a prestigious award.

The Tithe Barn pipped a renewable energy company headquarters in Gloucestershire, a civic justice centre and a regeneration project in Bristol to the post at The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) People’s Choice Award.

The former barn and school building, now used as Nailsea Town Council headquarters, was one of four public buildings shortlisted from entries to the RIBA South West Town & Country Design Awards

Town council clerk Ian Morrell said: “I am very pleased at winning the People’s Choice Award.

“Thank you very much to everyone who voted for our now award winning Tithe Barn.”

Town council chairman Rod Lees said: “RIBA is a highly professional organisation and I think it’s a fantastic award.

“Being in the construction industry all my life I know it’s pretty hard to get an award from RIBA.

“It’s the result of three or four years of work that’s gone into the project.

“The quality of the plans drawn up and the quality of the materials used by the architects was really fantastic.”

The building was also runner-up for a conservation award.