YOUNG people who have helped transform their community have been acknowledged with success in a national competition.

West Cornforth, in County Durham, won the young people's category in the northern section of the Calor Village of the Year awards.

The competition, in its tenth year, recognises caring communities that maintain and enhance the quality of life for residents.

In 2006, West Cornforth was short- listed for the village and young people's awards. However, last year, young residents went one better by collecting an award in the national finals.

Much of their work has been completed through a youth forum, called Youth Aloud.

The group is an off-shoot of The Cornforth Partnership, set up in 1995 to unite local organisations to meet the needs of the village.

Youth Aloud was instrumental is establishing a youth drop-in centre - No 66 - next to the partnership's community facility.

The drop-in centre is run almost entirely by youngsters, who manage finances, organise activities and offer advice.

They work closely with other groups in the community and the village primary school to organise activities and involve as many young people as possible.

Tracy Robinson, a volunteer worker who nominated the group, said: "The young people themselves formed a committee to make positive things happen in the village.

"They are identifying what the community needs and realising as much as possible.

"They know what young people want and talk to peers to get boys and girls or all ages involved in positive activities, hanging out somewhere safe where they cause no bother.

"There is a lot more respect between the generations because of their action and they deserve this recognition."

Hogan Robinson, 14, said: "What we do helps people in the area of our age and the rest of the community."

"The prize is brilliant because it comes with £500 that we can use to make more things happen."