YOUNG people who were entered in a draw as a reward for good behaviour have received their prizes.

Fifty golden tickets were handed out to youngsters in Stanley over the summer to promote good citizenship, such as picking up litter and dog mess.

Today (Friday, Nov 2) four prizes were given to lucky children whose name was picked from a hat.

Belinda Snow, of Durham County Council's neighbourhood services, said: "It is nice to get children to think about positive behaviour. These kids are looking after their environment and we should be congratulating them.

“It shows we have got some great young people within our community.”

Lauren McHale, nine from Stanley, who picked up after her dog, and six-year-old Kyle Malpass, from Craghead, who picked up litter, got a bike and helmet.

Tony Brown, 13, from Stanley, who did litter picking, got £50 worth of Ticketmaster vouchers and Beth Richards, 18, from Craghead, who did voluntary work with play groups, was given an iPod.

The scheme was dreamt up and funded by the of the Local Multi Agency Problem Solving committee, which includes the police as well as Derwentside Homes and Stanley Town Council.