YOUNG people who have made a contribution to their community will have their efforts recognised at an annual ceremony in Darlington next week.

The Positive Young People Awards were started in 1994 by Darlington Borough Council's Community Education Service.

They celebrate the achievements of young people under the age of 18. Individuals or groups can be nominated.

This year's awards ceremony, which will be held in Darlington College of Technology at 7pm on Friday, November 17, will be the biggest ever, with more than 200 young people from across the town receiving certificates.

There is no judging, or categories, and all the organisers ask is that those who are nominated have made a significant effort or contribution.

Among those who will receive an award are the PS2K group, which is made up of youngsters who go into schools delivering messages on such issues as drugs and bullying.

Marj Newman, community education worker at Darlington council, said the awards were important because they showed young people could make a difference in the community.

"The youngsters get a massive amount out of the event because their achievements are being recognised by adults," she said. "And it has a knock-on effect of raising the self-confidence and self-esteem of young people in the long term."

The certificates will be presented by Darlington MP and Health Secretary Alan Milburn and the Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Dorothy Long.

Peter Barron, the editor of The Northern Echo will also speak during the evening.

Mr Milburn told The Northern Echo that he was looking forward to attending the event.

"The Darlington Positive Young People Awards are an excellent idea and they are a great way of recognising the efforts of young people locally," he said.

"I am very pleased to be involved in the event, and am looking forward to meeting all the nominees.