The efforts of Dave Johnson and his colleagues in Boldon Newtown have not gone unnoticed by 10-year-old Tyler Marriott.

The youngster, from Arnold Street, Boldon Colliery, has nominated them for Community Group of the Year.

He said: "I would like to nominate them because they are so much help.

"They've made my life so much better. Without them I would be on the streets bored.

"We've done lots of things with them and achieved a lot, for example, visits to the town hall, a football charity match and helping in our community allotment.

"I have lots of respect for them and try to give it my all, so could you please put them up for an award, as I want to give something back to them. It would make me very happy."

Senior youth worker Mr Johnson runs the Boldon Young People's Project with youth workers Christina Bingham and Edna Garbutt, working mainly with eight to 19-year-olds.

It is part of the Boldon Newtown neighbourhood management initiative, set up to regenerate community spirit in the area.

They deliver youth work sessions at the Village Hall, in North Road, from Monday to Thursday, 6pm to 9pm, and on Friday evenings, there
is an under-13s football fitness group.

They work alongside neighbourhood manager Maria Anderson, neighbourhood management assistant Mark Burrell and community gardener Richard Johns.

Mr Johnson said it felt "really good" to be nominated and thought of so highly by Tyler.

* The Pride of South Tyneside Awards, now in their sixth year, are organised by the Gazette, South Tyneside Council and the Customs House.

Ten awards are up for grabs – Carer of the Year, Community Group of the Year, Greener South Tyneside, Sporting Excellence, Top Achiever, Child of Courage, Good Friend/Neighbour, Role Model of the Year, Young Performer(s) of the Year and a Judges' Special Award.

The closing date has now passed for nominations.

Up to 16 Young Performer(s) nominees will get to strut their stuff on stage in a talent show at the Customs House on Wednesday (April 23).

The awards ceremony will take place at the arts venue on Thursday, July 10.