Young people from across Argyll and Bute will travel to Oban later this month to attend a prestigious award ceremony that will celebrate youth achievement.

Hundreds of nominations were received for this year's Argyll and Bute Youth Awards and after a very difficult process, 24 finalists have been selected. The winner of each category will be announced at the award ceremony.

The Council's Policy Lead for Education and Lifelong Learning, Councillor Rory Colville, said: "These awards are a wonderful way of raising the profile of our young people and highlighting the positive contributions that they make to our communities.

"It is vital that the efforts of our young people are recognised and appreciation is given where it's deserved. All who have taken up the challenge and participated should be very proud of themselves and their achievements.

"The Council has gone to great lengths to support its young people and enable them to take advantage of all opportunities available to them. It is wonderful to see that this is paying off and I wish all those involved the very best for the future."

The awards ceremony will take place at Oban Phoenix Cinema on Thursday 24th September 2015.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The award categories and nominees are as follows:

Unsung Hero Award
Billy Pearson, 18, Oban
Lindsay Ferns, 25, Campbeltown
Steven Simpson, 16, Dunoon

Youth Entrepreneur Award
Ailsa Smart, 19, Dunoon
Charlie Reade, 17, Isle of Mull
Fraser Campbell, 12, Oban

Youth Volunteering Award
Robert Young, 16, Lochgoilhead
Steven Khan, 20, Oban
Thomas Howat, Isle of Bute

Health and Wellbeing Award
Alex-Ann Good, 18, Dunoon
Route 81, Come Dine with us Team, 14-19, Garelochhead
The Weekenders, Oban

Youth Environment Award
Dunoon Grammar School, learning centre pupils, 12-18, Dunoon
James Penny, 14, Isle of Mull
Pippa Garrard, 25, Isle of Mull

Youth Citizenship Award
Route 81 Entertainment Team, 14-19, Garelochhead
Dunoon, Peer Education Group, 14-15, Dunoon
David McLaughlin, 18, Isle of Bute

Youth Sporting Award
Abigail Evans, 19, Oban
Isaac Lines, 15, Dunoon
Mark Welsh, 22, Ardrishaig

Youth Arts Award
Beth Atkinson, 15, Tarbert
Na Seudan Ur, 15-18, Tarbert
Shannon Maclean, 17, Isle of Mull

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award