YOUNGSTERS have been presented with special awards for work they have done in their community.

Blackburn Deputy Mayor Coun Maureen Bateson handed out Community Action Awards at a ceremony at Blackburn Town Hall.

The awards scheme was launched last year with the aim of promoting and highlighting voluntary work carried out by youngsters.

The awards are judges in four categories and are supported by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Blackburn Council, Blackburn Lions, Blackburn College, McDonalds, the Blackburn Partnership, Council for Voluntary Service, Lancashire County Council's Youth and Community Service and Radio Lancashire. The winners were;

Schools and colleges prize: Blackburn College, for special needs students who refurbished the library at Cedars Infants School, Blackburn.

Individual prize: Fiona Connolly of St Mary's College for her work in raising cash and awareness of multiple sclerosis research.

Community Project Award: Jason Walker, 18, for a series of projects aimed at boosting the Wimberley estate in Blackburn, including running a junior soccer team and organising children's activities.

Youth Group Prize: Darwen Youth Theatre for their production of West Side Story.

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