THE deeds of the North-East's finest youngsters were recognised at an awards ceremony yesterday. Presentations were made to 19 individuals and groups from across County Durham at the fourth annual Shrievalty Awards.

Funded by the High Sheriff of Durham, the Durham Agency Against Crime (DAAC) and Durham Universty, the accolades are awarded to children nominated by family, youth workers, the police and other local organisations.

This year's list of winners was chosen from 84 nominees, and ranged from headline-grabbing heroes to equally deserving, if less heralded, helpers and volunteers from the County Durham, Darlington and Hartlepool areas.

Chief Inspector Bob Glass, chief executive of DAAC, said that at a time when a minority of youths gave all young people a bad reputation, it was heartening to hear some of the positive stories emerging from the award scheme.

He said: "We often hear the worst about our young people, but these awards paint a different and much more accurate picture."

Speaking at the awards ceremony, at Durham Castle, he told the assembled award winners and their families that he was sure they were representative of the majority of young people in the county.

"You are a credit to this county and the people of the community can rightly be proud of you. I am really proud," he said.

This year's High Sheriff, Richard Coad, made the presentations to the award winners in the castle's Great Hall.

The winners were:

Sixteen-year-old David Pattison, of Seaham, east Durham, for his battling attitude when coping with Alexander's Disease, which confines him to a wheelchair. Despite this, he has completed four GCSEs, is taking a computer course at college, in Peterlee, and remains cheerful and helpful.

Ten members of the Peer Friendship Group from Framwellgate School, Durham, aged 13 to 15, for supporting young people with learning difficulties at nearby Durham Trinity Special Needs School.

Four female members of Bishop Auckland Youth Group, aged 15 and 16, who have attended peer-led drugs courses and helped deliver drugs training to more than 130 local young people, as well as making videos highlighting young people's issues.

Liam Fleming, 14, and ten-year-old cousin Cherise Watson, from Darlington, who hit the headlines for bravely going to the aid of tsunami victims near their hotel in Thailand, where they were holidaying with their grandparents over Christmas, when the tidal wave struck the resort of Patong. Both have since suffered flashbacks as a result of the trauma.

Seven members of a Making Music Project, in Gilesgate, Durham, who raised more than £900 for cancer research after performing a live show in memory of a local cancer sufferer, who died last year. They also recently staged a production of Grease to raise funds for music equipment to be used by other young people in the community.

DISC ((DISabilities Concerns) Young Carers across the county, who have helped care for members of their families, and, in the past year, have helped set up a forum to raise issues affecting those they care for and attended junior support groups.

Kimberley Lowrie, 13, and 14-year-old Kate Gillies, from Ferryhill, County Durham, who suggested setting up sessions for 11 to 14-year-olds at the E-Caf Centre, in Ferryhill, and who have since helped to run and fund various group activities.

Five members of Ferryhill's Ladder Project, who have given up their time to help various activities at the town's Ladder Centre.

Fourteen-year-old Charlene Best, a member of a travelling family from Ferryhill, who has learned to live with Congenital Adrenal Hyper Plasma, which can be life threatening if not controlled by drugs. She has learned to manage her illness and maintain her studies when she is not undergoing hospital treatment.

Robbie Ralph, 14, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, a member of a travelling family, who helped patients during a pilgrimage to Lourdes with the chaplain of his school, St John's, in Bishop Auckland.

He intends making a return journey this summer.

Five members of the Artreach Young Girls Group, from Hartlepool, who have suffered bullying, but have scripted a storyline and produced a video to advise other victims.

The eight members of Lads on Cue, from Gilesgate, Durham, who have taken part in community work, organising a supper for the elderly, and a Christmas fair for local people.

Kate Mason, 13, and 14-year-old Stephen horn, both from Gilesgate, who have developed a young people's health information foyer at Mid Durham Projects Club and Gilesgate Community Association. They also plan healthy eating sessions in a local primary school.

Fifteen-year-old Claire Barnard, from Darlington, who volunteered for every fundraising activity to help Hurworth School raise £50,000 to achieve specialist school status.

Stephen Bowron, 15, from Middleton St George, near Darlington, who helped all fundraising activities at Hurworth School was not absent in five years at the school.

Jay Goring, 13, for his courage in giving evidence in two crimes, flagging down a motorist to help after the second, a stabbing in Newton Aycliffe.

Eight members of Crook's Jackass Theatre Group for working with special needs pupils and spreading a multi-cultural message.

The 15 members of Middleton St George Junior Neighbourhood Watch Group, aged nine to 11, who keep watch over local school premises during holidays, as well as staging other crime prevention activities in the community.

The nine members of the Corporation Road Primary School Neighbourhood Watch GrouP, in Darlington, aged nine to 11, who have tackled issues from drugs and bullying to crime prevention, staging bike safety and Say No to Strangers events.

The winners received certificates and gift vouchers, before being given a VIP tour of the castle