A LIFETIME achievement award has been presented to Graham Gill, forest management director for the Forestry Commission, North England Forest District.

The award was presented during the recent 2014 North East England Tourism Awards at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, and was for services to tourism in recognition of his role both within the Forestry Commission and as a founding director of the Kielder Water and Forest Park Development Trust Board.

More than 400,000 people a year visit Kielder - 171,000 stay overnight - generating more than £18m annually to the local economy and supporting over 471 jobs.

Mr Gill's vision and drive has resulted in more than £10m of new investment in forest recreation infrastructure, including 106 miles of cycle paths, award winning art works from international artists, and award winning observatory.

Last year Kielder Water and Forest Park was crowned ‘Best Tourism Destination’ by Visit England and this year secured International Dark Sky Park status at Gold Tier level, the largest area of its kind to be recognised in Europe and only the third of its kind in the world.

Mr Gill, who has worked for the Forestry Commission for 39 years, was appointed Kielder forest management director in 1994 and has led the transformation of northern Europe's largest man-made forest through 20 years of restructuring, to achieve his vision of delivering a multifunctional forest contributing to a wide range of objectives including timber production, recreation, wildlife and landscape quality.

Mr Gill said: "It has been hugely rewarding to see what can be achieved by combining the enthusiasm and passion of Forestry Commission staff with that of our partners. The Lakeside Way, the mountain bike trails, the artworks and the Observatory have all transformed Kielder Water and Forest Park as a visitor destination, while at the same time we have maintained and developed the vital economic role of the Forest as the greatest timber production unit in England and increased its environmental value."

He has worked closely with bodies such as Northumbrian Water, Calvert Trust, Northumberland County Council, Northumberland National Park, organisations, communities and interest groups.?