THE St Helens Urban Regeneration Partnership, Ravenhead Renaissance, has beaten off stiff competition from local authorities across the country to be shortlisted for a major national award.

It is the first time that St Helens has been put forward for the Public Private Partnership of the Year accolade in the Local Government Chronicle Awards for Excellence 2001.

This reflects the work that the council has done in partnership with Ravenhead Renaissance and the private sector.

The other authorities shortlisted include Manchester Millennium Task Force. Winners will be announced in London on March 13.