A TEENAGER who gives up most of his spare time to help at a youth centre has been named Young Person of the Year in Richmondshire.

Andrew Scott, 16, took the title in the first Citizenship Awards, launched by Richmondshire District Council to reward unsung heroes in the community.

Andrew began volunteering at Risedale Youth Centre, Catterick Garrison, two years ago after a mentor, who was helping him after he became distracted and uninterested in lessons, encouraged him to get involved.

He now looks after the centre's minibus, organises fundraising and helps with a weekly group for young people with disabilities.

A spokesman for the youth centre, which nominated Andrew, said: "He has attended up to four evenings a week for up to three hours per evening to help run the centre.

"He has never failed to attend and he is always one of the first to arrive and the last to leave."

Andrew, a vehicle bodywork apprentice, has completed his bronze youth achievement award and is working towards his silver.

Volunteer of the Year was Ian Threlfall, a parish councillor in Scorton for more than 30 years.

The parish council's citation praised his work on community events, including the feast and the annual vintage rally and working weekend.

"Overall, this is what Ian does best - gets Scorton folk together by giving his time freely," said a spokesman.

Entrepreneur of the Year was Martin Worner, of thecitysecret, Richmond, which the judges said saw itself as more than just an IT business, but an important part of the community.

Community Initiative of the Year went to the Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust, for converting Richmond's former railway station into a community venue.

District council leader Melva Steckles said: "The awards were a great opportunity to recognise the huge amount of work that members of the Richmondshire community do for one another, and it was a real honour to be able to thank them for that."

The awards were presented at the council's annual state of the district debate, where members of the public discussed a range of issues with officers and councillors.