COMMUNITY spirit among young people in Middlesbrough is being recognised with an achievement award.

Eleven youngsters will pick up their certificates at a ceremony at the town's Teaching and Learning Centre tonight.

The award has been set up by Middlesbrough Council's youth service, for those who have been on a 15-week course with their local youth centre or project, to develop their community awareness.

Councillor Paul Thompson, executive member for education, said: "All across Middlesbrough on a regular basis, we have young people attending youth centres and improving their personal skills and getting involved in activities which benefit the community.

"Up to now, there has been no way of marking what they have done, so we have come up with this awards scheme to ensure that young people know that they are valued and that we do acknowledge their contribution to making Middlesbrough a better place.

"It is also important to highlight the often unsung and unpublicised good work which young people do.

"It far outweighs the negative aspects which often attract a disproportionate amount of notice."