THE achievements of young people and those who work with young people in Wiltshire were celebrated at a presentation evening sponsored by the Wiltshire Times.

Wiltshire County Council and Wiltshire Youth Services Council presented the awards at County Hall on Monday.

Wiltshire Times editor Stephen White was there to make two presentations to a special young person and an exceptional adult.

He presented David Hutchison, 18, who has been a member of the Calne Young People's Youth Council for four years and its chairman for just over a year, with the youth award.

He has represented young people at local and national level.

Earlier this year he lobbied Mo Mowlam about the limited range of ages represented by the British Youth Council.

As David was unable to attend the ceremony his award was collected by Bernie McHale, who has just become a member of the UK Youth Parliament.

The adult award was presented to Conrad Saunders, 79, who has worked with youngsters in Downton, near Salisbury, for many years. In 1995 he established the Downton Duke of Edinburgh's Open Award Centre.

This year's event was also attended by chief education officer Bob Wolfson, head of youth and community services Gordon Evans, Allan Peach, vice chairman of the community services committee and Wiltshire Youth Services Council chairman Robin Fewings.

Ray Stubbs, presenter of BBC television's Match of the Day, Grandstand and Football Focus, was host of the event.

He said: "These awards recognise those who give their time and also use their skills on behalf of young people."

The award certificates were presented by Lt Col Jarvis and Olympic judo medallist Julian Davies, who travelled from Newcastle to attend the event.

The guest speaker was George Baker, otherwise known as television's Inspector Wexford.

Award winners included Paul Wiltshire and Peter Quinney, for their work with the Wiltshire School of Gymnastics; Richard Hatt, a dedicated member of the Wesley Road Methodist Church Boys Brigade, Trowbridge; Steve Taylor, for his work with the young people of Trowbridge; Jason Prior, from Studley Green Youth Club, Trowbridge, for managing to alter his previously disruptive behaviour to become one of the club's most helpful young members; Bradford on Avon Youth Council members for their efforts to represent the views of the young people in the town; Ella McCance for becoming a dedicated member of 6th Warminster Guides despite having Down's syndrome.