A STUDENT has been hailed a local hero for her outstanding contribution to the community.

Rebecca Severi is one of eight regional winners of the Nationwide Award for Voluntary Endeavour.

The Darlington College of Technology student has set up an anti-bullying project called Stop and Think, which includes an interactive website.

Ms Severi, 17, said: "I am absolutely delighted. I can't tell you how thrilled I am. It is always lovely to receive recognition for the work you are doing.

"It was nice to meet up with everybody there and share experiences - it was a lovely day."

"What is most important to me is that it promotes young people doing voluntary work.

"There is a lot of negative press about young people at the moment, especially with the Bulger case, but we are not all like that."

Ms Severi, who is involved with the Darlington YMCA Volunteers, is to stage a drama to raise awareness of bullying, at Darlington Arts Centre, in September.

Karl Dickman, of Newcastle, won an award in the under-18 category.

He helps out at his local youth club two nights a week and assists with extra-curricular clubs and lessons at Longbenton Community College.

Among the other winners, who each receive a plaque and £50 in vouchers, was Jan Pritchard of Eldon Lane, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

She has set up a 24-hour helpline, called Liberty From Addiction, for people who have been misusing drugs.

And the trustees of Settle Victoria Hall, in North Yorkshire, won an award in the adult section, after raising £400,000 to take over responsibility for the town hall.

Four of the regional winners in the competition, run by the Nationwide Building Society, will go forward to the national awards ceremony at the House of Commons, in October.