STUDENTS from four schools in Weymouth and Portland were awarded for their community work at a special presentation.

The 45 students from IPACA, St Andrew’s, Southill and Wyke Regis Junior’s were presented with certificates recognising their work by the mayor of Weymouth and Portland Ray Banham.

The awards are part of an initiative to get young people to try new things and help out in their community – similar to the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

Pupils sign up for six months and every week they have to do a physical and non-physical activity, one of which must be something they have never done before.

They then have to do a community public service once a week, such as walking a neighbour’s dogs or visiting grandparents once a week, or going to scouts or guides.

They then have to do a school public service in their own time.

At Wyke Junior School they did a playground scheme to help the younger students and at Southill they put out chairs and tables and put them away every lunchtime.

At the end of the six months the students do a 24-hour expedition in team building.

Students organise and lead the team activities.

Project co-ordinator Tess Butler said all the students had worked hard and showed great commitment during the six month course.

She said: “I’m very proud of them – they have done really well.”

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Ray Banham said he was very impressed by the work the young people had been doing.

He said he had seen a lot of young people helping out around the community including in old people’s homes.

He said: “I have got a lot to say for young people – I think they are really fantastic.”