SCARBOROUGH’S transformation from a struggling seasonal tourist resort to a year-round vibrant economy and culture was rewarded with this year’s European Enterprise Award in Prague.

The prize recognises the results of a six-year programme to pull the old-fashioned North Yorkshire seaside town out of the doldrums and attract investment.

The breakthrough came in 2002 when public and private funds were poured into a Scarborough Renaissance Partnership, designed to reverse economic and social decline triggered by falling domestic tourism and a collapsing fishing sector.

The citation, which was given yesterday, said: “Scarborough Renaissance Partnership has transformed a seasonal economy with unemployment in the winter 50 per cent higher than in the summer into a more balanced year-round entrepreneurial climate offering increased employment prospects, particular through the development of a business park and state-of-the-art centre for creative and cultural industries.”

European Commission vice-president Gunter Verheugen said: “Today’s winner, the Scarborough Renaissance Partnership, demonstrates that promoting small and medium-sized businesses benefits our societies and can bring unemployment down. I invite all to share best practices.”

More than 350 national, regional and local authorities – including towns, cities and regions as well as public-private partnerships – competed for this year’s award.

Participating countries – the 27 EU Member States and Norway – could nominate up to two projects each.