FANTASTIC work by a group of youngsters determined to change things for young people won the Kent Young People's Respect Award for 2006.

The 11 youngsters from Swale Youth Strategy Group spent a year researching the issues and then presented a strategy document for 2006 to 2009 to the police and other official bodies at a youth conference.

Their wide-ranging recommendations include combating anti-social behaviour, healthy lifestyle choices and gaining respect and understanding.

Mike Fuller, the Chief Constable of Kent, presented the group with their trophy and prizes at an award ceremony at the Kent Police College in Maidstone.

The Young People's Respect Awards are run by the Kent Messenger Group and Kent Police with the support of the Home Office, Kent People's Trust and Charlton Athletic Fooball Club.

More than 200 young people, aged between 10 and 20, were nominated in the six police areas in Kent.

Mr Fuller praised the awards for providing an opportunity to recognise the talent, commitment and community spirit of the vast majority of young people across Kent.

Ron Green, the Kent Messenger Group's managing editor, said: "The Swale group took the top prize for what the judges thought was a fantastic piece of work on behalf of their community.

"They did not just look at the 'now' but set timed objectives and a monitoring procedure to ensure their work will benefit young people in the future."

Earlier the area winners received their prizes. They were:

Mid Kent: Swale Youth Strategy Committee;

South Kent: Ashford Youth Forum - Crime Sub Group;

North Kent: Steven Snell, Swanscombe;

Medway: New Brompton College;

West Kent: Young Women's Project Group of West Kent YWCA;

East Kent: CRE8 UR Future News Group, Ramsgate.

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