YOUNG achiever awards have been presented to teenagers who raised money for military charities after taking part in a play about the First World War.

Horsforth Town Council made the awards to15 year 11 students from Horsforth School who performed in 'The Pals', a play about underage soldiers in the Battle of the Somme.The majority of the cast received their awards in a special ceremony from town council chairman John Garvani. He commended them on their commitment to the play and the fundraising which saw military charities and the Horsforth WW1 100 years project receiving £2000.

"I am delighted that the lads have received these awards which show the value that the town sees in encouraging young people here to strive to do well and in this case produce a performance which bound school and town further together," said organising teacher James Bovington.

Lead actor Josh Wilkinson, 16, said: "The Pals turned out to be a big project but we are all glad to have been able to honour the memory of soldiers who left a century ago and never returned, including many from Horsforth."

A total of 47 students from Horsforth School are now busy fundraising to support this year’s Battlefields trip in July. Various activities are being arranged to honour the 89 soldiers from Horsforth who were killed in 1917.