YOUNGSTERS and staff at a Weymouth club have been praised for their hard work in the community.

Certificates to recognise their achievements were presented at Steps Club for Young People in Chickerell Road.

Eight young people, aged 17-18 years, received their Silver Youth Achievement Awards from Dorset Youth and Community Service manager Diane Evans for the work they have done during the past nine months.

The awards, the first to be presented in Dorset since 1998, involve group members running a series of personal challenges.

Gemma Bennett, 17, said the challenges included redecorating a room at Steps, helping with a junior club, going on an outdoor education weekend, cooking meals for parents and working on a human rights video project.

She added: "The highlight was our very own Big Brother weekend which was very challenging, but lots of fun."

Three young people and four staff members were presented with Millennium Volunteer Awards from MV co-ordinator Karen Bennett, having each completed more than 200 hours of voluntary work at the club.

Area youth worker Tom Lane said: "Both sets of awards represent outstanding achievements by our young people and staff."