A YOUNG athlete from Cononley was among eight stars from across Yorkshire to win recognition for their talent and determination.

Jessica Mayho was rewarded at the 26th Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards, staged at Leeds United's Centenary Pavilion last Thursday. (Nov 8)

She scooped the Walsh Taylor-sponsored Special Award, meant for people who have gone that extra mile to help raise funds to support young people.

An awards spokesman explained: "Jessica first came to the Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation’s notice as a grant recipient, receiving support to fund her training in her aim to become Britain’s best hammer thrower.

"Since then, she's found time in her busy training schedule to support us in a number of ways, including helping to launch the awards on more than one occasion and always being happy to meet sponsors and supporters at events.

"This year she took silver at the British Athletic Championships with a season’s best throw, hot on the heels of becoming North of England Senior Hammer Throw Champion 2018."

The awards, sponsored by McCormicks Solicitors, mark the achievements of young people in eight categories, from the arts to sport, and are organised by the Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation which has raised more than £1.25 million to support young people in Yorkshire.

Awards chairman, Peter McCormick, said: “By complete chance, we had five different sports recognised across the eight categories which shows how important sport can be in terms of helping young people achieve their full potential. We heard some great stories about all our winners."