A PRESENTATION night has been held to celebrate the achievements of young people involved in a village project.

The Cornforth Partnership's Next Step youth project works with young people from the village aged 11 to 22.

It aims to encourage the personal and social development of young people through involvement in a programme of activities, training, environmental and community projects.

The programme included a two-year domestic violence project, which concentrated on its impact on children and young people, and included the production of a powerful piece of drama.

Other courses included drugs awareness, a karting programme with a written examination and driving test, sexual health and teenage pregnancy, a ten-week health course, first aid and business and administration.

The Mayor of Sedgefield Borough, Councillor George Gray, made the presentations and the evening was supported by members of the partnership, the community and service providers.

Next Step co-ordinator Karen Lynn said: "All too often we hear about the negative aspects of young people's behaviour, so it is really important to recognise some of the positive things they do."

Lindsey Dodds, part of the hearts and minds domestic violence group, said: "If it wasn't for the youth project giving me the encouragement to do different activities and courses, I wouldn't be at university today."

Catherine Evans, part of the same group, said: "The project means a lot to me, I've been part of the group since I was 14 and I'm nearly 21 now, and they have helped me achieve loads of different qualifications."

Award winners were:

Domestic violence peer education project: Tony Cutmore, Catherine Evans, Elaine Todd, Lindsey Dodds, Ashleigh Owens, Jackie Boustead, Kelly Boustead, Sarah Fairless, Ricky Bellingham, Stacey Ord.

Level two drugs awareness course: Margaret Cutmore, Tony Cutmore, Catherine Evans, Lindsey Dodds, Ashleigh Owens, Kelly Boustead, Keith Ferguson.

Karting programme: Jason Walker, Mark Scott, Jonathon Tonge, Gary Quinn, Maxwell Metcalfe.

Baby think it over course: Emma Holmes, Cheryl Shadforth, Tanya Alderson, Caroline Wynne, Hayley Spearman.

Appointed person first aid course: Val Hudson, Anne Curry, Catherine Evans, Tony Cutmore, Ashleigh Owens, Ricky Bellingham.

NVQ level two business and administration: Catherine Evans.