The finalists in a major construction awards event — who were chosen from a “spectacular array” of entries — have been named.

The shortlist for the Construction Employers Federation |Specify Construction Excellence Awards was unveiled in the Invest NI building in Bedford Square, Belfast, in the presence of junior ministers Gerry Kelly of Sinn Fein and the DUP’s Jeffrey Donaldson, along with representatives of the industry.

John Armstrong, the CEF managing director, said: “Despite the very challenging economic climate in the last year, Northern Ireland has been home to some of the finest construction projects on these islands.

“Over 70 projects were rigorously judged and we are delighted to reveal the list of those in with a chance of winning a much sought after award at the gala evening in October.

“The spectacular array of entries for this year’s awards clearly demonstrates the industry’s |commitment to quality and continuous improvement.”

The competition attracts |entries from multi-million pound civil engineering jobs to community centres by construction companies of all sizes.

Projects which have made the shortlist include the Victoria Square Regeneration Project (Farrans Gilbert-Ash JV), Lough Erne Golf Resort and Spa (McCann Brothers Ireland), The Crown Bar (Gilbert-Ash NI) and University of Ulster Belfast Campus (Patton Construction).