YOUNG people have been rewarded for turning their backs on anti-social behaviour and becoming positive role models.

Medals, trophies and certificates were presented at the Big Bang event, a special ceremony held at Stokesley Community Centre on Tuesday.

It recognised a group of youths who worked with local police and youth workers to form two football teams - the Sowerby Blues over-14s team and the TS9ers under-14s team.

The youths were previously associated with anti-social behaviour and, sometimes, low-level crime. But they are now learning to respect themselves and others, and played their first competitive matches in January.

The shift in their behaviour and attitude has been so marked that members of the Stokesley community have commented on it.

But, as well as their sporting achievements, they have also campaigned against racism and learned teamwork and organisational skills.

As part of their anti-racism campaign, the youths, many of whom come from travelling backgrounds, took photographs which were displayed at the ceremony.

The footballers, who are coached by Gareth James each Friday, even managed to secure £7,000 in funding and obtained kits for the Sowerby Blues from Broadacres Housing Association.

PC Michelle McFarlane and senior youth worker Donna Westbrook, from North Yorkshire County Council's 4Youth service, worked closely with them to make it all happen.

PC McFarlane said the improvement should not be underestimated: "Slowly but surely the spiral of negative behaviour is being challenged and the children are realising that their actions have consequences."

Mrs Westbrook said: "I'm immensely proud of the young people and what they have achieved in the last year, and especially with the racism project.

"A lot of people dismissed these young people, but I've got all the time in the world for them. I just think they are brilliant."

Coun Tony Hall, North Yorkshire County Council's children and young people's champion, said: "We are not very good at promoting young people. We really should celebrate their work and shout it out loud because there is a lot of good work going on with them."