TEENAGERS Charlotte Nichols and Matthew Brown are being helped on the road to success in their respective sporting fields.

Both have received awards under Richmondshire District Council's young sports people scheme.

Charlotte, 18, and from Barton, is a member of the Great Britain junior water polo team.

Matthew, 17, from Eppelby, has enjoyed considerable success in cricket.

Charlotte, who took up water polo two years ago, received the maximum award of £200. She represents the Sedgefield 75 Club in water polo and swimming.

She has just finished her A-levels at Polam Hall School, in Darlington, and is taking a gap year before going on to Loughborough University.

"The award has been very useful," she said.

"I have used it to purchase a power breather, which will help me to control my asthma when taking part in the sport."

Matthew was recently singled out as one of the top three students at the Yorkshire Cricket Board's coaching centre in Harrogate.

He was awarded £100 from the council scheme. He plays for Norton Cricket Club in the North-East Premier League and this season scored two centuries for Barnard Castle School in the schools' competition.

The school has put him forward for trials with the England junior team, and Matthew has ambitions to play county cricket for Yorkshire or Durham.

"I am delighted to receive this grant," said Matthew.

"In the course of a season, my boots and bat take quite a hammering, so I have been able to put the money towards buying new ones."