YOUNGSTERS at Aylesham Youth Club were recognised for their hard work at an awards ceremony on Friday.

A group of 25 young people, ranging in age from 12 to 18, received certificates for achievements in areas ranging from health and hygiene to motorbike safety and national art awards.

Centre manager Helen Parkhurst, 34, said: "Our young people have made achievements such as through creative arts DJ and music courses.

"We are also presenting internal KCC certificates to youngsters for the skills they have developed.

"Senior members have gone through a cycle of personal development in the last 12 months. Others have achieved health and hygiene certificates and some young people have completed a six-week course in safe motorbike riding.

"Our young people can get quite a bad press sometimes but we need to value them, stand back and say 'they are amazing'.

"They keep us on our toes but they are kind, helpful, co-operative and love their youth club."

Many of the members who were at the awards ceremony have also been involved in fundraising efforts to pay for more activities and to help secure the future of the club which, at the moment, is uncertain due to Kent County Council's reorganisation of its youth services.

But Ms Parkhurst thinks there may be a future for the club. She said: "It really depends on the commissioning and tendering process but it could be taken on by the local action group, the parish council or a sporting charity."

Handing out the certificates with the help of parish council chairman Bob Thompson, she told the youngsters and their parents: "I have the best job in the world. I have been in this job for more than 10 years and the young people still amaze me and educate me.

"We are facing changes but at the moment this is our youth centre and I am proud of our young people."