BRAVE, hardworking or artistic youngsters in the Stockton area are to be rewarded for their efforts under a new scheme.

The Smart awards are the result of a pledge by Mayor of Stockton, Councillor Terry Bean, to recognise young people's achievements.

Coun Bean has worked with youngsters from schools across the area to devise the awards scheme, which was launched on Wednesday.

People under the age of 19 can be nominated for awards in ten categories: educational achievement, educational effort, sport, volunteering, community work, the arts, teamwork, bravery to overcome a challenge, achievement by someone with special needs, and an exceptional award to a child of primary school age.

Coun Bean said: "Young people often have an undeserved bad reputation, but many of them do a tremendous amount of good every day, yet all too often their efforts go unnoticed.

"The Smart awards offer an opportunity to redress this and I hope that local people will be encouraged to send in plenty of nominations."

Katy Hutchcraft, 15, helped create the scheme, said: "Anyone who thinks their friends or relatives have done something worthwhile should fill in a form and send it in now."

Nomination forms are being sent to libraries, sports complexes, youth centres and council offices. They are also available from Stockton Youth Service, on (01642) 393482 or 393501.

The closing date for nominations is Friday, February 8 and the winners will be announced in spring.