YOUNG artists were guests of honour at a ceremony to reward their efforts in preventing crime.

Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Barry Coppinger invited school pupils, both primary and secondary, to enter a competition to create posters, radio adverts, video or social media posts showing the impact that criminal damage has on their neighbourhoods.

And the winners attended Cleveland police headquarters on Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough, on Wednesday night to meet the PCC.

The fruits of their labour have now been turned into posters on display across the Cleveland force area.

Mr Coppinger said there had been an increase in criminal damage during autumn, but said he believed youngsters were often portrayed negatively due to the actions of a small minority.

The overall winner was by Ella Thwaites from New Marske Primary. Fellow pupil Harriet Stannard won second place in the primary school category.

In the secondary school category, Thornaby Academy scooped both prizes, Katie Trainer first and Millie Shaw in second place.

In the multimedia category Glebe Primary School won first prize with Holy Rosary Primary School pupil Jacob Trotter winning second prize.