Ashford's controversial shared space scheme has picked up its tenth award.

The scheme took the prize for Town and Village Renaissance at the Kent Design Awards - its 10th award in the past year.

Quarterhouse in Folkestone won the Public Building (General) award and El Ray in Dungeness was the winner of the Residential (Minor Development) category.

The shared space fended off 30 other nominated projects, including the Phoenix Community School in Kennington and the Singleton environment centre.

Quarterhouse, an entertainment venue in Tontine Street, was designed by Alison Brooks Architects.

Nick Ewbank , creative director of the Creative Foundation which runs the building, said: “I am delighted that it has been recognised.

“Cutting edge contemporary design is being recognised for the benefits it can bring in regenerating areas.”

The striking building, which opened in March, last year, has already won a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) award.

Holiday home El Ray is designed around a Victorian railway carriage which had been abandoned on the beach.

Last year it won a national award for buildings with a total budget of less than £1m from RIBA.

More than 200 guests attended the ceremony in Tonbridge which was compered by former BBC news presenter Geoff Clark.