THE achievements of children and young people in the care of Wiltshire County Council were celebrated at an awards ceremony at Longleat House.

The event was attended by 100 children and young people along with their carers, friends and families and GWR's Black Thunder on Saturday.

All the young achievers were presented with certificates by Howard Taylor of GWR FM and spent the afternoon exploring Longleat.

The main aim of the Annual Achievement Awards is to recognise the success stories and build self esteem among the 280 children and young people for which the council is responsible.

Charlie Murray, from Calne, helped organise this year's awards and was also presented with an award.

The 19-year-old said: "These awards help to recognise the strengths and achievements of children in foster care and care leavers. Being given an award like this makes you feel good about yourself and makes you feel proud of what you have achieved."

Among the award winners were children and young people nominated for working hard at school and doing well at their football club.

A group of foster children who took part in a percussion workshop aimed at drumming up more foster carers in October were also nominated. Wiltshire County Council is in need of more people willing to provide foster placements across the county.

John Woodhouse, the county council children's rights officer, said: "The aim of this event is to show the children, young people and care leavers that what they have achieved during the past year is important, and that the adults in their lives believe in them.

"The awards ceremony is a positive way of communicating Wiltshire County Council's pride in the young people we care for and our commitment to providing a positive experience for young people in care.

It was devised by young people, county councillors and staff from the Department for Children, Education and Libraries to celebrate the achievements of all young people.