TEN young people who have made a positive difference to their Wear Valley communities have been honoured by Durham Agency Against Crime.

Shrievalty Awards were presented to the youngsters, aged between 11 and 19, who tackled issues including drug abuse, bullying and teenage pregnancy.

In Bishop Auckland, seven girls aged 15 and 16 formed a pressure group, Youth Voice, which started an under-18s disco which now attracts 500 teenagers a week.

Claire Flatman, Katie Allaway, Laura Hairsine, Kirsty Hull, Stacey Humble, Roxanne Amir-Mohammadi and Karen Shepherd also produced a video about life in Cockton Hill.

Derek Stephenson, 19, from Stanhope, excelled in outdoor projects including the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

He also joined the management committee of Stanhope Youth Centre and spends his weekends leading canoeing and hiking activities.

Samantha Jackson, 18, from Willington, joined a group of young people working with the Samaritans and helped to set up and win funding for The Youth Call Centre, which offers a lifeline for those in distress. She also carries out research for the Investing in Children organisation.

David Moralee, 18, from Crook, worked from the age of 14 as a volunteer, educating other youngsters about drugs. He is a full-time educator on the OutThere project.

He is also a volunteer disc jockey and plays music for youth and community groups,

The High Sheriff of Durham, Elizabeth Smyth, and the chairman of Durham Agency Against Crime, Peter Rowley, presented the awards at Durham Castle.