YOUNG achievers in Wear Valley and Teesdale are to have their efforts recognised at an awards ceremony for the first time.

Tonight's ceremony will be an opportunity to praise the work on a variety of projects performed by members of the area's youth clubs.

It is the first of what will become an annual event organised by Education in the Community for the Dales.

Among those being honoured will be Emily Fieldson, Ruth Featherstone and Bernie Furness, who organised and helped to run a family fun day in their home village of Toronto, near Bishop Auckland.

The trio felt that there was a need to raise the profile of their community centre and worked with the centre's committee to make the day a huge success.

Stanhope Youth Club's Next Step project will receive recognition for redecorating Stanhope Centre.

They also took time out to decorate Westgate Youth Club, fitting pine-cladding, making and fitting a bay window and painting the rest of the club house.

Other organisations recognised will include Tow Law Youth Club; The Disco Divas and The Babes from King James I Comprehensive School, Bishop Auckland; Glenholme Youth Achievement, from Crook; and Auckland Youth and Community Association, from Woodhouse Close, Bishop Auckland.

The achievers will be presented with certificates by Dave Emmerson, service manager for Education in the Community at the Auckland Youth and Community Centre, in Proudfoot Drive.

Entertainment will be provided by The Millbank Mannequins, from Millbank Youth Centre, West Auckland, who are giving a repeat performance of the dances they first performed at a county ceremony in November.

Jo Hayes, manager for Education in the Community Dales Area, said: "It is a culmination of a year's hard work in the youth clubs, and tributes should be made as well to the youth workers who work within the youth clubs and encourage young people to take every opportunity available to them within the youth service.''