AN awards scheme that praises and supports initiatives for a town's young people has held its inaugural prize giving night.

Ten groups entered Bishop Auckland Town Council's first youth awards which recognise positive projects and enhance them with prizes of up to £3,000.

In a ceremony at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Friday three winning groups landed grants to boost their work and all those groups that entered received a £100 windfall.

Town Mayor Alan Anderson said: "I knew there were good projects and groups for young people in the area but have been overwhelmed by what I've learned through the awards.

"We hope to help existing groups to build on their work and enhance projects so they have a lasting benefit for hundreds of young people.

"There are some well established, old groups and some new, exciting ones and we hope these awards will give them recognition they deserve and money to develop into the future."

For full report and pictures read The Northern Echo tomorrow.