STUDENTS from Rednock School in Dursley have been chosen as judges for an awards initiative for young people.

Seven students, all of whom have gained the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Award, were asked to act as a judging panel for the South West regional judging panel of Wavemakers.

Wavemakers is a national charity, which is being led by children and young people for the benefit of children and young people. The awards scheme is committed to highlighting and celebrating achievements of children and young people who have done something significant in the areas of social care, education and health and also the organisations that work with them.

On Wednesday, Nicola Berry from the Diana Award organisation visited the school with the details of the eight finalists in the region.

Short-listed nominations will now be considered by the final judging panel before the awards are made in March.

Teacher Jenny Parsons said: "Award holders studies the paperwork and made their judgements about who should be the winners. We are really pleased that our students are being recognised in this way."

Maggie Turner, director of the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Award said: "The award holders involved in the Wavemakers' judging workshop are well placed to contribute to this judging process and are looking forward to the opportunity to having their voices heard."

Wavemakers' chief executive Deborah Skillicorn, said: "The range of nominations is diverse and include issues of bullying, caring, self harming, drugs, alcohol, gun crime and many more. The best way to determine which nominations go forward for final judging is to let young people decide."