Bracknell

It was a night of glitz, glamour and recognition for more than 100 of borough's young stars at the Bracknell Awards For TeenAgers (BAFTAs) on Wednesday.

The annual BAFTAs, run by Bracknell Forest Borough Council, were held at the Coppid Beech Hotel in Binfield where teenagers were invited to party the night away while being recognised for their successes.

The awards aim to recognise the achievements and good work of the Bracknell borough's young people aged between 13 and 19-years-old. This year certificates were handed out to teenagers who had completed first aid courses, babysitting courses, a Duke of Edinburgh Award at silver and bronze level.

Teenagers who had achieved National Keystone Awards or Youth Achievement Awards were also recognised as were a group of youngsters who had helped design and create the Council's new young person's website www.xpresionz.co.uk, which was launched at the BAFTAs.

Everyone was welcomed to the awards ceremony by the Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest, Cllr Clifton Thompson, who also presented awards alongside Martin Gocke, Assistant Director of Education, Children's Services and Libraries at Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Cllr Gareth Barnard, Executive Member for Children's Services, Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Leisure, John Nike OBE, Dave Seward, Chief Executive of Berkshire Association of Clubs for Young People, Simon Whitmore from the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and Janet Hughes from Connexions Berkshire.

Entertainment was provided by a band called Caliber during the awards ceremony while DJ Rory continued the party late into the evening with many of the teenagers taking to the dancefloor to celebrate their success.

Martin Gocke, Assistant Director of Bracknell Education, Children's Services and Libraries, said: "So many young people in Bracknell Forest take the time, trouble and effort to work really hard on projects and courses outside of school or college and the BAFTAs are a great way or recognising that.

"All the teenagers who attended had a great time receiving their certificates and awards and then carried on the celebration into the evening."

Cllr Thompson added: "I thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many of our young people who have worked really hard to gain some wonderful achievements.

"The BAFTAs are a great way of recognising what good work young people in the borough do and continue to do in their spare time. It's not often that teenagers get the recognition they deserve for completely worthy courses and giving up their spare time to complete projects so I was very pleased to meet more than 100 of Bracknell Forest's young people on Wednesday evening who had done just that.

"I wish all of them every success in the future and would like to thank everyone who helped organise such a worthy and enjoyable evening."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council