The Universities at Medway campus has been rewarded for the part it has played in the region's economic and cultural life.

The campus at Chatham Maritime - which is shared between Greenwich, Kent and Canterbury Christ Church universities, as well as Mid-Kent College - received a 'highly commended' rating by judges at the first ever Regeneration and Renewal awards.

The Medway campus was entered in the category for Heritage-led Project of the Year.

Judges agreed that Universities at Medway demonstrated clear social and economic benefits to the community, and had undertaken the conservation of historic buildings, such as the Drill Hall Library and Pilkington Building, which have both received complete renovations in recent years.

Universities at Medway's entry bid to the Regeneration and Renewal awards was made by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and real estate and project management consultancy Atisreal.

The awards aim to recognise and reward regeneration schemes across the United Kingdom, with a particular emphasis on those which best enhance the environment and community.

Professor Keith Mander, speaking for Universities at Medway, said the latest accolade for the campus was welcome recognition for the role the university partnership played in the region.

He said: "The campus is a flagship development for the Thames Gateway. Universities at Medway is clearly having a major impact on the local economy, and we expect its influence to grow sharply in the coming years."