TEENAGE volunteers dressed for success - to celebrate more than 15,000 hours of voluntary work within their communities.

The Hambleton North 4Youth Millennium Volunteers, based at Northallerton College, were rewarded for their efforts with a fancy dress-themed award ceremony at Romanby Golf Club, in Northallerton.

Dozens of students received awards of excellence after taking part in a wide range of activities.

They included play schemes, working with children in care, tutoring in music, drama and sport, helping in local charity shops and businesses, and environmental work.

Some also helped school children in the UK and went on a cultural visit to Malawi in Africa.

Senior youth worker Donna Westbrook said: "We have had more than 100 volunteers on the scheme this year, and on average they have each given up 150 unpaid hours of their time to help others in their communities.

"Volunteering not only has a major impact on the quality of people's lives for the recipients, but also for the volunteers themselves, who gain so much from helping others. Each and every one of them deserves an award for the massive contribution they have made."

Volunteer Leigh Garside, 18, from Northallerton College, who was presented with a certificate for 200 hours of individual voluntary work, said: "It's great that we have been recognised for helping others and portrayed in a positive way, as many young people seem to get such a bad press these days.

"Volunteering can be such a big bonus in life; it puts you in situations you wouldn't normally be in and teaches you so much."

Louise Best, 17, from Morton-on-Swale, added: "It's nice to receive recognition for giving something back.

"Volunteering has really opened my eyes to different communities and cultures, especially in Africa.

"I really want to go travelling after college with a volunteer profile, and hopefully do some aid work in Nepal. Volunteering really can change your life."

For more information on becoming a Millennium Volunteer, contact Dawn Carter at the Volunteers Centre, Northallerton, on 01609-780458, or Donna Westbrook, at Northallerton College, on 01609-773340, extension 229