YOUNGSTERS have been honoured with awards for their hard work.

They were nominated by friends, family and teachers for the Stockton Mayor's Achievement Recognition Trophy (Smart) awards .

This year's awards were supported by the Mayor, Councillor Ann Cains.

She said: "What a wonderful night it was. All the young people there had done so well to be nominated and there were truly inspiring stories among them.

"I was pleased to be able to meet so many of the young people and to say thank you with certificates and awards. We hear so many negative stories about the things young people do but this night was a celebration of all the positive things they do that so often go unrecognised.

"My thanks must go to the committee of young people, from schools across the borough, who chose the final winners. They obviously took a great deal of time and care to go through all the nominations."

The event was held at the Arc in Stockton.

The winners were:

* Volunteering in the community Kirri Raper, 15;

* The arts Adrian Coates, 11;

* Teamwork Rachel Wood, 14, Helen Dickinson, 14 and Fran Davison 15, all from St Michael's School, Billingham;

* Bravery Vashinda Johal, 13;

* Friend and family Khorum Ahmed, 13;

* Special needs Michael Benson, 13;

* Education achievement Inessa Khorolska, 13;

* Education effort Cal Burns, 14;

* Sport Michelle Gray, 14, and Rebecca Leighton, 14;

* Young achiever Hayley Robertson, 12.