A TOWN’S finest young citizens have been honoured in a new awards scheme.

Spennymoor Town Council launched the Spennymoor Young People’s Awards in May and presented nominees and winners with certificates and plaques at the town hall on Tuesday. (November 25)

Mayor Geoff O’Hehir said: “The council believes in the importance of investing in our young people and recognising them for their ability, hard work and commitment in achieving their goals.

“It is evident to me that the future of our town is in good hands.”

Topping the bill was 16-year-old Ryan Chatt who landed the Spennymoor ‘With Hope No-one Shall Fail’ extra special achievement and recognition award.

He was nominated by Dee Hickson, from Spennymoor Stage and Song, who said: “Ryan’s achievements are so very diverse.”

He has taken a leading role in the society’s last two productions, is on the management committee and helps raise funds and mentor younger members.

He is on Spennymoor Youth Council, currently the town’s youth mayor, and has been involved in charity activities, school initiatives and is training for key roles at St Andrew’s Church.

The community champion award went to Spennymoor Youth Council (Ask SYC) whose members hold voluntary roles in the town, represent their peers at consultation events and support community events and projects.

Winner of the sports award was Deerness Gymnastics Academy member and coach Liam Sneath.

He was nominated by his mother, Pam, for his achievements at and was represented at the awards ceremony by his father, Brian, and brother, Alex, because he was rehearsing with the dance group Diversity.

Liam has competed for eight years, juggles 21 hours of training a week with his studies at Whitworth Park Sixth Form College and volunteers at afterschool clubs and lessons at Ox Close Primary School.

This year he became acrobatic gymnastics world champion, won gold medals at the British and world championships and was awarded master gymnast for 2013 by the North of England Gymnastics Association.

Other nominees praised were Thai boxer Charlie Simpson, North Park Primary School pupil Courtney Mole, ice hockey player Ethan Hehir, Joshua Long who is excelling at taekwondo and athlete Matthew Lupton who attends The Oaks Secondary School.

Daniel Grainger was nominated for the ‘With Hope No-one Shall Fail’ award by a teacher at North Park Primary School because he was rarely absent and never complained after breaking his leg while playing football.

Callum Reid and William Watt were nominated for the community champion award for their work on youth and community projects in Hett.