TEN pupils from a Durham school have received Youth Achievement Awards after learning new skills and passing them on to younger students.

The 16-year-olds, from Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth Form Centre, earned silver Youth Achievement Awards.

They are the first pupils at the school to be given the award, which is run by Durham County Council's Education in the Community service.

Senior education worker Pat Hill said: "They received excellent comments from the moderators, who were really impressed with the standard of their evidence files."

To complete their silver award, the youngsters made books about their work and presented them to the school's library.

Ms Hill said: "They have worked very hard and fully deserve this award.

"They have had a lot of new experiences and have learned a lot of new skills which will serve them well in later life."

The Youth Achievement Awards are run by the Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network , an educational charity that promotes the personal and social development of learners to enhance their self-esteem, aspirations and contribution to their community.

The successful students were Paul Maddison, Michael Bromley, Paul Anderson, Paul Coulthard, Stephen Bryan, Gareth Maitland, Graham Cooper, Ithel Manson, Jerome Walton and Ian Walton.

Ithel Manson and Graham Cooper also received a first star canoe award.