BUNTINGFORD Town Council has won a national award in the young people s category of the Community Empowerment Awards. It was the youth council s manifesto project, launched in July, which grabbed the award at the National Association of Local Councils nat

BUNTINGFORD Town Council has won a national award in the young people's category of the Community Empowerment Awards.

It was the youth council's manifesto project, launched in July, which grabbed the award at the National Association of Local Councils national conference at the weekend.

Town clerk Jill Jones was presented with a certificate, ­trophy, and a cheque for £1000.

She said: "We were absolutely delighted to win the award.

"The money will be used to help subsidise the cost of activities for young people.

"A twice yearly newsletter was a result of the manifesto, so the money will also help to pay for its printing costs.

"The award shows that the youth council is a positive thing for the town.

"Members are very proactive and determined to do what the young people want, and deal with the issues affecting people of their age in the town."

The youth manifesto was the result of a town-wide questionnaire completed by 700 young people living or studying in Buntingford.

The money will be added to the funds from the East Herts Crime and Disorder Partnership to run regular bus services to Stevenage Leisure Park for young people, the need for which was identified in the manifesto.