TEENAGERS from Chester-le-Street have helped win an award. Young Co-operatives, which helps school students run their own businesses selling Fair Trade products, won this year's Blandford Memorial Award.

More than 900 delegates from the UK were present when its founder and national co-ordinator, Kevin McGrother, accepted the award accompanied by teenagers Faye Ledger and Natalie Ord.

Faye and Natalie help run a young co-operative at the Hermitage School, in Chester-le-Street. Through a weekly Fair Trade tuck shop, its ten members learn the business skills needed to run any small business.

The award and a cheque for £2,000 was presented at the Co-operative Congress, an annual gathering at Old Trafford, Manchester.