Youngsters who have bravely battled the odds are to be honoured at the borough's third Youth Achievement Awards ceremony.

Nominations for the annual event, designed to highlight the successes of the borough's young and unsung heroes, have now opened.

Social workers, teachers, foster carers and others who know youngsters aged 12 to 19 who are worthy of an award, have until May 20 to nominate them.

The annual event, supported by the Surrey Comet, will be held at Raven's Ait on Thursday, June 9, and nominees and other invited guests will experience a fun ferry trip to the destination.

There are five categorie education, sports, caring, courage and participation and citizenship.

Last year's winners included Tanya Nightingale, then 17, who won in the Courage category. She helped her sister Rebecca Nightingale 18 at the time and winner of the top Courage prize through the trauma of a car accident.

Rugby talent Charlie Staal, then 15, won the Sporting Achievement category. Despite battling learning difficulties he showed he was a natural when it came to life in the scrum.

Aaron Perry, then 14, scooped the Active Citizenship award for giving young people a voice in Kingston.

The judges will be looking for young people who have completely changed their lives around.

Event organiser Caroline Jager said they were specifically looking for those who had sustained long-term success in their lives.

The line-up of judges will include representatives from the police, fire and other community groups.

Winners and runners-up will be awarded trophies and gift vouchers for stores such as HMV and JD Sports.

Grahame Snelling, principal manager for looked after and adolescent services, said: "The Youth Achievement Awards boost young people's self esteem and make them feel better about themselves and their community."

The event will kick off at around 4.30pm.

The rules state no-one can nominate themselves, and nominees must be told if they are being put forward.

To nominate fill out and send off the form on this page, or go to www.younglivin.org/youth _achievement_awards.htm.

Contact Caroline Jager on 020 8547 6069 or email yaa@rbk.

kingston.go.uk for more information.

rclifford@london.newsquest.co.uk