INSPIRATIONAL young people from the Lowestoft area have been honoured for their achievements, courage and success at a special awards ceremony.

Teenagers Nathan Ward, from Lowestoft, and Charlie Dinsdale and Witney Catchpole, from Carlton Colville, were among the winners at the annual Bernard Matthews Youth Awards.

Now in its third year, the awards aim to find and reward bright young stars from Norfolk and Suffolk in a number of categories ranging from culture to bravery to young farmers and charity volunteers.

The awards are sponsored by the The Journal's sister paper, the EDP, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, OPEN Youth Trust, and The Garage.

Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton presented the awards at the OPEN venue in Norwich.

She said she was 'absolutely blown away by how amazing all of the finalists were', and that she was honoured to share the stage with 'such incredible and inspirational people'.

'It was really nice to be part of something so positive and that really shouts about what the young people have done,' she said.

'I just think they are all absolutely amazing.'

There were eight award categories and the winner of each was given �1,000 to help them further their dreams and ambitions.

Lorna Cousins, marketing controller communications for Bernard Matthews, said she was amazed by the standard of entries for this year's youth awards and every single finalist was a winner.

She said: 'The winners were really difficult to choose because each and every one of the finalists was inspiring in their own way.'