Youngsters' community work recognised with awards

The awards have been running for 12 years and each finalist received a certificate of recognition from the mayor councillor Craig Collingswood

Ten young people from Wolverhampton have been recognised for their "outstanding" community service at an awards ceremony.

More than 150 people attended the Wolverhampton Young Citizens of the Year awards, an event run jointly between local Rotary clubs.

A special recognition award was given to Britain's Got Talent finalist Eva Abley, who has cerebral palsy, for her book The Good the Bad and the Wobbly and her BAFTA-winning documentary about care for children with special needs.

Guest of honour Dr Willard Wigan, from Ashmore Park, spoke about his troubled childhood to becoming a world famous creator of micro sculptures, the council said.

Overall winners Ethan, in the 13 to 18 age group, and Frazer Humphreys, in the 19 to 25 age group, were presented with a plaque and certificate and received £100 and a further £100 for the charity of their choice.

The event, held on Friday at the University of Wolverhampton's Chancellor's Hall, has been running for 12 years, and saw each finalist receive a certificate of recognition from the mayor.

"These young people are wonderful role models for our city's young people," Mel Eves, chairman of the awards and judges, said.

"They deserve to be recognised and their achievements celebrated.

"It has been a privilege to have been one of the judges and to have led the organising committee for the first time this year."