YOUNG people from youth clubs in Weardale and Teesdale ended a year of achievement by collecting prizes at an Education in the Community awards night.

The audience in Auckland Youth and Community Centre, Woodhouse Close, heard success stories from boys and girls who put extra effort into enhancing their own lives and others.

Dales area manager Jo Hayes said: "We are very proud of all these young people and the youth workers in our service. They have achieved exceptional success and learnt new skills which will help them in whatever path they choose to follow."

Awards were presented by principal officer Dave Emmerson and Durham deputy director of education Neil Charlton.

WinnerS: Stanhope Youth Club, the Next Step Project: Michael Woodhall, James Kerr, Stuart Bowes, John Fraser, Glenn Dent, Scott Dent and Marc Bell redecorated the Stanhope Centre and Westgate Youth Club, fitting pine cladding and making and fitting a new bay window.

Tow Law Youth Club: Laura Hopps, Naomi Waters, Sara Graham, Claire Henderson, Kirsty Rowley, Vicky Hale and Rhiannon Waters planned and made a new club banner.

King James Ist Community Association, Bishop Auckland, the Disco Divas: Kelly Johnson, Clare Johnson, Chloe Watson, Rosie Brass, Carla Lithgow, Vicki Robinson worked hard to thrash out different opinions, planned their costumes and practised at every opportunity.

King James Ist CA, the Babes: Kimberley Cunningham, Rachel Bradley, Kirsty Patterson practised hard to produce a professional routine which they performed in public.

Toronto Youth Club: Emily Fieldson, Ruth Featherstone and Bernie Furness organised and helped to run a family fun day with activities for every age group, dealing with correspondence, advertising and evaluation.

Glenholme, Crook, Youth Achievement challenge: Clare Ryan, Lisa Blair, Lyn Robinson, Lisa Hopper, Natalie Whitfield, Heather Johnson, Olivia Oswald, Lorraine Smith, Leanne Trotter, Danielle Swan, Jayne Campbell, Victoria Harrison, Danielle Murray and Liz Campbell chose from activities including glass painting, creating a 16ft outdoor feature and a joining a residential project at High Force.

Warwick Road School, Bishop Auckland: Craig Bainbridge, Mark Maughan, Katie Johnson, William Kirkbride, Michaela Sowerby, Michaela Tallentire, Janine Sutherland, Kevin Wilson, Christopher Alliston, Keith Latue and Paul McTearnan worked with the Youth and Community team to take a babysitting course with included first aid.

The Millbank Youth Club, West Auckland, received Durham's director of education Keith Mitchell's special award.

Individual award winners, chosen by their youth leaders, were: Stanhope Community Centre, Malcolm Barwick, who is a reliable auxiliary and is taking a youth work course; Auckland Youth and Community Association, Kirsty Nichol, who volunteers with an After-School Club and has good communication and listening skills; Gemma McGurk, who is joint chairwoman of the youth committee; James Campion, who is the most improved person in the club, is full of fresh ideas, is mature and friendly; Simon Sinclair, who helps set up activities, makes tea and coffee for visitors and has many good ideas.

King James Ist CA: Clare Johnson and Kelly Johnson have matured into sensible, helpful and reliable people who helped choreograph dancing groups, joined in the dancing and encouraged their friends.

Tow Law, Vicky Hale and Claire Henderson are involved in the committee and are an asset to the club.

Stanhope CA won the Dales Football Trophy, with Henknowle runners up. The Pool trophy also went to Stanhope who beat Woodhouse Close Youth and Community Association in the final.