THE achievements of talented youngsters from the Westbury area were recognised at the town's first Young People's Awards.

On Friday, more than 300 people attended the inaugural event, held at Matravers School, where 174 young people were nominated for awards, with eight individuals and four youth groups and sports teams selected as winners.

Among the winners on the night were Jacob Harrington and Alex Tilley, who both won Young Carer awards for the way they look after family members with long-term health conditions.

The Chairman’s Award went to Mya Drury, who, of her own volition, opted to have her hair cut and donated it to the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children who have suffered hair loss.

Westbury area board chairman Jerry Wickham said: "This was the first Westbury Youth Awards ceremony and the fact that 174 members of the wider Westbury youth were nominated shows the excellent volunteering and skills that these young people contribute in our communities.

"The judging panel had a really difficult task in choosing winners out of the high quality nominations, but Friday night’s event enabled us to thank and recognise everyone and to remind all the nominees that they were all winners.

"These awards illustrate how our important our young people are to Wiltshire Council and to the Westbury area. As an area board, we have supported many local projects to provide activities and opportunities for young people, and we see the support of these awards as recognition for the contribution that they make to their local community.

"I was extremely proud to be involved with this event and I know that the area board will continue to support young people through its allocation of funding and support for new schemes and projects."

Westbury community engagement manager Liam Cripps added: "I would like to thank Matravers School for providing such a great venue to host this event, to Morrisons and Aldi for providing the refreshments, and to all the wonderfully talented performers that were a highlight of the evening. Every nominee and award winner proves what a fantastic and inspirational community we have in Westbury. Roll on next year’s awards."

Complete winners list:

Young Achiever - Ethan Sims - sponsored by Tarmac

Young Carer - Jacob Harrington - sponsored by Somerset Care

Young Carer - Alex Tilley - sponsored by Somerset Care

Volunteering Award - Westbury Leos - sponsored by Selwood Housing

Young Leader - Catherine Jones - sponsored by Sovereign Housing

Sporting Individual - Hayden Bailey - sponsored by Gooding Accounts

School Council - Fairfield Farm College - sponsored by Hills Group

Individual Arts - Millie Gmaj - sponsored by Martin & Co

Team Arts - Dilton Junior Players - sponsored by Hire Standards Ltd

Young Voice - Hannah Meaden - sponsored by White Horse News

Sporting Team - Westbury United U13s - sponsored by Places for People

Chairman’s Award - Mya Drury - no sponsor