THE exceptional achievements of young people in the county were honoured in the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards presentation ceremony last night.

The awards are run by the Rotary Club of Taunton, the Somerset County Gazette and BBC Somerset.

The ceremony took place at the Conference Centre at Somerset College, Taunton, which was given for free for the night by the college.

Twenty two young people received certificates and prize money totalling £1,000, which was donated by Rotary, the Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Connexions Somerset.

The recipients’ achievements ranged from displaying courage through illness, fundraising, community work, helping their family and even saving a life.

The awards were presented by Britain’s wheelchair tennis number one and Paralympian Lucy Shuker, who lives near Taunton.

Presentations were also made to Ken Bird, editor-in-chief of the County Gazette, and Jess Rudkin, editor of BBC Somerset for their support of the awards. Jess also stepped in at the last minute to present the ceremony as Clinton Rogers had to pull out due to illness.

More detail, photos and a video will appear here from Monday – keep reading!

Reports and pictures will also be published in the Somerset County Gazette, Bridgwater Mercury, Chard and Ilminster News, Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News and the Yeovil Express this week - Don't miss them!

HIGHLY COMMENDED

  • Sophie Evans, 17, Norton Fitzwarren, community involvement
  • Rosalind Wright, 18, Weston College, charity work
  • Saskya Liney and Fran Hipgrave, 17, Chard, fundraising
  • Guy Potter, 17, Taunton, helping his neighbour
  • Jessica Marshall, 13, Bridgwater, courage in the face of adversity

WINNERS

  • Mathew Short, 11, Minehead, helping his friend Mason
  • Ben Gibb, 18, Axbridge, athletics
  • Rupert Parsons, 5, Stoke St Gregory, courage in the face of adversity
  • Kirsty Hembery, 17, Burnham, youth/community work
  • Steven Salter, 13, Buckland St Mary, community work
  • Steven Perring, 17, Taunton, history/academic achievement
  • Chloe Fussell, 9, Midsomer Norton, caring for family
  • Joseph Buttler, 17, Wedmore/King’s College, Taunton, cricket
  • Samantha Tolson, 19, Glastonbury and Street, volunteering for the air cadets
  • Felicity Gover and Harriet Rose-Gale, 18, Minehead, college and charity Dean Lacey, 17, Somerset College, fire rescue
  • Billy Marshall, 7, Burnham, caring for his mum
  • Kirsty Hembrow, 19, Taunton, bowls
  • Sam Pope, 18, Wellington, work for the Scouts
  • Katy Aldridge, 13, and Joshua Aldridge, 16, Yeovil, courage in the face of adversity