TEENAGE volunteer James Deane was crowned Darlington's Young Citizen of the Year tonight at a celebration recognising the towns top citizens.

James was named alongside Citizen of the Year Alan Noble at the Best of Darlington Awards at Darlington College.

James said: "I was really surprised to win especially with the high calibre of the other nominees."

James had been named as the town's volunteer of the year at the voluntary awards in September.

He and the other 11 individual category winners, which were announced last night, were eligible to win the two overall awards.

Mr Noble, who is founder and executive director of Northgate Plc, won the contribution to business.

His nominator Alasdair MacConachie, chairman of Darlington Partnership, said: "Alan Noble is a great entrepreneur. His business is a great success and he employs a lot of people in the town each year."

The night was compered by The Northern Echo's editor Peter Barron.

Guests, award winners and sponsors all had the chance to see the entries for the Big Snap photographic category, which was one of the individual awards before the ceremony.

The competition, run by Darlington Media Workshop, rewarded the best amateur photography by looking for the best photos of the town's hidden gems.

Winner Alison Gall, who took a picture of the clock tower, said: "I imagine people walk past that view all the time without realising it's there, so I thought it really was one of Darlingtons hidden gems."

Winners Contribution to Sport (sponsored by Darlington FC) - Robert Newton.

Contribution to the Arts (Darlington Building Society) - Carol Andrew.

Contribution to the Community (Darlington Borough Council) - Audrey Lax.

Young Persons Contribution to the Community (Sherwoods Chevrolet) - Nickstream Lane Youth Forum.

Contribution to Business (BT Open Reach) - Alan Noble.

Contribution to the Environment (Groundwork) - Nubeck Nursery.

Student of the Year (Darlington College) - John Perks.

Award for Academic Achievement (Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College) - Charlotte Clewlow.

Volunteer of the Year (Darlington CVS) - James Deane.

Neighbour from Heaven (The Northern Echo) - Lynn Airey.

The Big Snap (BiB Darlington Ltd) - Alison Gall.