Luton's youngsters did their town proud at the Bedfordshire Young People of the Year Awards on Thursday night, walking away with a string of awards.

The night's top prize went to Luton 18-year-old Sabath Shazia, who despite suffering with Crohn's disease, selflessly gives up every minute of her spare time to good causes.

She was presented with the SkillsTrain Young Person of the Year title by the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Nazir Jessa, and received a prize of £1,000.

Sabath impressed the judges with her dedication to the people she helps, including disabled children at Luton's Friends of Bright Eyes charity, and young Muslim girls at the Ash-Shams Education Trust.

After receiving the award, she said: "I'm more shocked than anything. I wasn't expecting this - I thought there were so many better finalists than me."

Luton's other winners included 16-year-old Gavin O'Brien who received £500 after judges heard the story of how he overcame the loss of his twin brother to mentor younger students at his school, Stopsley High.

Adina Harkin, 21, received a runner-up prize of £250 for her efforts in organising a fashion show to break down the barriers between different communities, and Farley Hill 18-year-old Asma Begum was given a surprise prize of a laptop computer to help her run holiday playschemes for underprivileged children in Luton.

For full story and pictures, see the Luton News September 24 edition.