OUTSTANDING young citizens of Worcestershire have been praised at an award ceremony.

Thirty-three young people from across the county received a Good Citizen award on Monday for acts of outstanding courage, generosity and displays of community spirit.

Organised by West Mercia Constabulary, the awards recognise young people aged 18 and under who have made difference to other people's lives.

Those nominated attended a special ceremony at Hindlip Hall police headquarters, near Worcester, where they received certificates and lapel badges.

PC Taryn Green, who organised this year's award scheme, said: "People's perceptions of children and teenagers are often very negative, and young people frequently receive bad press.

"West Mercia's annual Good Citizen Awards highlights the exceptional contributions many young people make to their local communities.

"The awards give us a chance to show just how generous, brave and public -spirited many of the young people in Worcestershire are, and reward them for the difference they have made to other people's lives."

Four youngsters - Samantha Spencer, of Droitwich; Andrew Marks, of Worcester; Lewis Howell, of Kidderminster, and Rebecca O'Neill, of Redditch - have now been chosen to go forward for the Good Citizen of the Year award, which will be presented at a gala award evening hosted by Chief Constable Paul West at Hindlip Hall in October.

The nominees for Worcestershire were: William Goodenough, aged 13, from Flyford Flavell, a pupil at Pershore High School.

William was born with a complex congenital heart problem called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which has left him with many physical restrictions. Despite these restrictions William works with Little Hearts Matter charity to raise awareness about the needs of children like himself.

Sophie Attwood, aged 11, from Drakes Broughton, a pupil at St Barnabas CE First and Middle School.

After hearing about the poverty in which Nepalese children live and how little they have, Sophie raised £60 during the summer holidays to send to children in Nepal. Her money is being used to pay for medical treatment for a 10-year-old boy whose parents cannot afford it.

Rosie Ash, aged 10, from Worcester, a pupil at St George's Catholic Primary School.

Rosie has made an exceptional effort to raise funds for NSPCC by organising a sale of the goods that she and her family had made.

Dexter Williamson, aged 12, from Droitwich, a pupil at Witton Middle School.

All the school's pupils were asked to complete tasks at home to raise money to buy Life Straws for people in Africa. Dexter came up with the idea of running a marathon around his neighbourhood in return for sponsorship. A group of his friends joined in and between them they ran 53.6 miles and raised £340 for the Life Straws project.

Samantha Spencer, aged 13, from Droitwich, a pupil at Droitwich High School.

Samantha is a keen volunteer and fund-raiser. She has completed a sponsored walk for sufferers of diabetes, raised more than £1,000 for the Mayor of Droitwich's charities - Home Start and Age Concern. She is also an ambassador for St Richard's Hospice in Worcester. She represents the organisation on her school's charity committee and encourages the school to participate in fund-raising activities.

Edward Surman, aged 13, from Pershore, a pupil at Pershore High School.

Edward is a keen swimmer. He instructs his peers and younger children on the dangers of the water and water safety. He has also taught younger children life- saving skills.

Alasdair Mustard, aged 12, from Pinvin, a pupil at Pershore High School.

Alasdair has been very active in helping his local church. He edits the village magazine, which is circulated to 350 people and he also fund-raises for the Historical Churches fund.

Lucy Alice Harris, aged 13, from Pershore, a pupil at Pershore High School.

Lucy offers support to her mother who is incapacitated. She also helps her neighbours by childminding and walking dogs and also raises funds for the Dogs' Trust. Kate Rawlings, aged 13, from Pirton, a pupil at Pershore High School.

Kate has raised money for Chernobyl Children's Charity. The money she has raised has helped fund trips and holidays for the victims of Chernobyl.

Coral Gubbins, aged 13, from Pershore, a pupil at Pershore High School.

Coral is an active supporter of the Dogs' Trust and supports the Royal British Legion. She does community work as a member of the Air Cadets and helps her next door neighbour by doing her shopping.

Stephen Maughan, aged 16, from Pershore, a pupil at Pershore High School.

Stephen consistently makes himself available for the service of the school. He is a member of the orchestra, vice-chairman of the debating society, he helped to co-ordinate the school's entry in the Youth Parliament competition and was responsible for operating the sound for the school's production of The Tempest.

Alex Wood, aged 15, from Pershore, a pupil at Pershore High School.

Alex works for a youth club three days a week and helps organise trips. He also teaches DJ skills to younger children and supports the teacher at kayaking classes.

Luke Gordon, aged 15, from Pershore, a pupil at Pershore High School.

Luke has helped raise money for several charities including Acorns Children's Hospice, Red Nose Day and Pershore Cottage Hospital. He has entertained Pershore pensioners by playing music at several coffee mornings and at a carol concert. He also helped to organise and run a football tournament of middle school pupils to give them an insight into life at a high school.

Jamie Haycox, aged 15, from Worcester, a pupil at Elgar Technology College.

Jamie participates in Bridging the Gap, between Warndon Youth Centre, Warndon Community Centre and Brookthorp Sheltered Accommodation. His aim is for young and older people to explore the stereotypes that society has imposed on generations and to share experiences. Jamie has been involved in weekly sessions, meals out together, day trips supporting older people and a celebration programme.

Adam Gordon, aged 15, from Pershore, a pupil at Pershore High School.

Adam has always been heavily involved in the life of the school. He was involved in starting the Interact Club, which has led to charity work and heavy involvement in the school's international work.

Nathan John, aged 14, from Crowle, a pupil at Pershore High School.

Nathan has put personal illness aside to help set up the school's Interact Club. He has raised funds for Acorns Children's Hospice and he has also worked as a member of the school's environmental action group.

Reena Bhatt, aged 17, from Pershore, a pupil at Pershore High School.

Reena has readily given up her free time over the past year to work with elderly people who are deaf and blind. After receiving training from the Deaf Blind Services Sensory Impairment team she has willingly dedicated her time to work with individuals who really need support, comfort and companionship.

Andrew Marks, aged 17, from Worcester, a pupil at Pershore High School.

Andrew has volunteered his free time over the past year to work with an elderly gentleman who is both partially deaf and blind. After receiving training from the Deaf Blind Services Sensory Impairment team, he has cheerfully and willingly dedicated time to support an individual who really appreciates the support, comfort and companionship which is given by Andrew.

Madeline Milton, aged 18, from Drakes Broughton, a pupil at Pershore High School.

Madeline has readily given up her free time over the past year to work with elderly people who are deaf and blind. After receiving training from the Deaf Blind Services Sensory Impairment team she has willingly dedicated her time to work with individuals who really need support, comfort and companionship.

Other winners were: Lewis Howell, aged 4, from Kidderminster, a pupil at St Mary's First School.

Charlotte Longmore, aged 16, from Kidderminster, a pupil at King Charles I School.

Rebecca O'Neill, aged 17, from Redditch a pupil at St Augustine's High School.

Ben White, aged 18, from Redditch, a pupil at St Augustine's High School.

Georgette Eaton, aged 16, from Redditch, a pupil at St Augustine's High School.

Daniel Postans, aged 14, from Redditch, a pupil at Droitwich High School.

Sara Ann Miles, aged 16, from Rubery, a pupil at Waseley Hills High School.

Yasmine Notice, aged 15, from West Heath, a pupil at Frankley Community School.

Hannah Lippett, aged 15, from Rubery, a pupil at Waseley Hills High School.

Sharna Hayward, aged nine, from Bromsgrove, a pupil at Meadows First School.

Laura Deeks, aged 15, from Romsley, a pupil at Haybridge High School.

Jasmine Spragg, aged 10, from Kidderminster, a pupil at Franche High School.