LONDON, UK.- The Waterways Trust and the British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA) are pleased to announce the finalists for The Waterways Renaissance Awards 2005. The Waterways Renaissance Awards aim to recognise and encourage best practice in sustainable waterway regeneration and development throughout the UK.

The winners will be announced at a prestigious Awards Ceremony & Dinner to take place at Madame Tussauds, London , on Wednesday 16 March. The event will be hosted by the television presenter and Vice President of The Waterways Trust John Craven OBE. The Rt Hon Alun Michael MP, the Waterways Minister, will be the guest speaker.

The finalists for The Waterways Renaissance Awards 2005 are: Area-Based Regeneration - sponsored by Land and Water Group; Islington Gates, Fleet Street, Birmingham; Manchester Waterways Strategy; The Oracle Shopping Centre, Reading.

Community - sponsored by Defra; London Narrow Boat Project, Braunston, Northamptonshire; Trevor Basin Waterside Regeneration, Wrexham; The Willow Trust, Gloucester.

Design and Construction - sponsored by ISIS Waterside Regeneration; Clarence Dock, Leeds; Islington Gates, Fleet Street, Birmingham; The Oracle Shopping Centre, Reading
Sowerby Bridge Wharf Warehouse Refurbishment, Halifax.

Education and Learning - sponsored by Regeneration and Renewal; Canals Then & Now, Portland Basin Museum, Ashton-under-Lyne; River Rubbish Roundup, Tonbridge, Kent.

Historic Environment - sponsored by English Heritage; Brockmoor Bridge , Stourbridge Canal, Dudley. Dundas Aqueduct Refurbishment, Limpley Stoke, Bath; Hayhurst Swing Bridge Refurbishment, Northwich, Cheshire; Sowerby Bridge Wharf Warehouse Refurbishment, Halifax.

Natural Environment - sponsored by English Nature; Fradley Pool Nature Reserve, nr. Burton-upon-Trent, West Midlands; River Rubbish Roundup, Tonbridge, Kent.

Recreation and Tourism - sponsored by ARUP; Cross-Scotland Holiday Cruises, between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Special Award for Excellence in Partnership – sponsored by Morrison; All finalists will be considered for this Award.