A PRINTING company in Darlington is donating £2,000 to an annual awards scheme.

Mawers Talbot Print has agreed to co-sponsor the arts achiever award, one of 14 celebration of learning awards, designed to recognise and reward the achievements of young people aged between 13 and 24 in the Tees Valley.

This year's awards were launched by Olympic javelin gold medallist, Tessa Sanderson in July.

She visited Centre North-East, in Middlesbrough, to speak to some of last year's winners and representatives from the Tees Valley learning community.

Mawers Talbot Print director Mike Challands said: "The arts achiever award is a natural choice for us to sponsor, and we are delighted to be involved.

"These awards are an all too rare chance for the achievements of young people to be recognised.

"Businesses like ours are dependent on the next generation of talented young artists and designers and we are keen to do everything possible to encourage achievement in the arts."

Learning and Skills Council Tees Valley, Connexions Tees Valley and JobCentre Plus have jointly organised the awards, which are now into their second year following a highly successful event last year. Nominations have begun within schools, colleges and learning providers.

A shortlist will be drawn up by a panel of judges, including Mawers Talbot Print.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the Tall Trees Hotel, in Yarm, on November 26.