MEMBERS of the Sedgefield Players Youth Section (SPYS) have been presented with certificates and medals by the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Before receiving their awards, the 17 performers, aged seven to 17 years, delighted the audience at Sedgefield Parish Hall with a variety of prose, poetry and drama.

First to perform was Holly Atkinson, seven, the youngest recipient of an award.

Alice Patterson, Alex Tate and Kimberley Workman, three of the Little Women from the Sedgefield Players' recent production, received awards for their drama talents and achievements.

Also receiving awards were 13-year-old Thomas Coulson, as well as brother and sister Jack and Erin Evans.

Certificates were also presented to Jenny Bowden, Joanna Clifford-Brown, Polly Cocker, Kirsty Davison, Fiona Gowran, Jenny Lowe, Katy McLoughlin, Paula Quinn, Sarah Stewart and Janine Yaxley.

There will be further opportunities to see the talents of the youngsters at the Sedgefield Drama Festival, a week of one-act plays, from September 24 to 28. There will also be an SPYS showcase on November 8 and 9 and the Sedgefield Players pantomime from December 27 to 30. All performances will be in Sedgefield Parish Hall.

Anyone interested in joining the Sedgefield Players or the SPYS (minimum age seven) is asked to contact (01740) 620091.