YOUNGSTERS who bravely overcame a robbery and who created a youth shelter were among those recognised with awards this week.

The sixth annual Shrievalty Awards were presented by the High Sheriff of Durham, Thomas Swan OBE, at Durham Castle.

Due to the unusually large number of recipients - 32 young people from throughout County Durham - they had to be presented in two separate ceremonies.

Every year, family members, the police, teachers, youth and church organisations nominate youngsters who have shown personal bravery or carried out valuable community work.

This year's recipients included Daniel Garbutt and Philip McKenna, both 12, from Newton Aycliffe. Despite being threatened with violence by two youths who stole Daniel's mountain bike, they gave an excellent description to police and attended an identification parade and a court case, leading to the robbers' conviction.

Angela Air, Amanda Dixon and Gary Harker, all 16, and from Durham, were recognised for providing a youth shelter for Gilesgate, and Sylvana Noble, Lindsay Barker and Samantha Pattinson, all 15, of Durham, for their children's project.

Each of the 32 received a certificate and £35 worth of gift vouchers.

Chief Insp Tim Wilson, chief executive of Durham Agency Against Crime, which supports the awards, said: "We often hear about bad behaviour by a minority of youngsters but the Shrievalty Awards paint a much truer picture."