A CAMPAIGN to exempt care-leavers from council tax has been recognised with a national award.

The initiative by The Children’s Society, which has been embraced by Lancashire County Council, calls on local authorities to exempt care leavers from paying council tax.

Councillors in Lancashire, where there are around 830 care leavers, agreed to implement the policy.

The Leaving Care Award – which highlights those doing the most to help young people who are leaving care and transitioning into adulthood -- was presented recently at the awards ceremony organised and hosted by Children and Young People Now magazine.